On Witt vector cohomology for singular varieties

Abstract

Over a perfect field $k$ of characteristic $p > 0$, we construct a ‘Witt vector cohomology with compact supports’ for separated $k$-schemes of finite type, extending (after tensorization with ${\mathbb Q}$) the classical theory for proper $k$-schemes. We define a canonical morphism from rigid cohomology with compact supports to Witt vector cohomology with compact supports, and we prove that it provides an identification between the latter and the slope ${<}1$ part of the former. Over a finite field, this allows one to compute congruences for the number of rational points in special examples. In particular, the congruence modulo the cardinality of the finite field of the number of rational points of a theta divisor on an abelian variety does not depend on the choice of the theta divisor. This answers positively a question by J.-P. Serre.