Localizations of tensor categories and fiber products of schemes

Abstract

We prove that the tensor category of quasi-coherent modules $\mathsf{Qcoh}(X \times_S Y)$ on a fiber product of quasi-compact quasi-separated schemes is the bicategorical pushout of $\mathsf{Qcoh}(X)$ and $\mathsf{Qcoh}(Y)$ over $\mathsf{Qcoh}(S)$ in the $2$-category of cocomplete linear tensor categories. In particular, $\mathsf{Qcoh}(X \times Y)$ is the bicategorical coproduct of $\mathsf{Qcoh}(X)$ and $\mathsf{Qcoh}(Y)$. For this we introduce idals, which can be seen as non-embedded ideals, and use them to study localizations of cocomplete tensor categories in general.