Semi-stable models for rigid-analytic spaces

Abstract.

 Let R be a complete discrete valuation ring with field of fractions K and let X _K be a smooth, quasi-compact rigid-analytic space over S_p K. We show that there exists a finite separable field extension K' of K, a rigid-analytic space X' _K' over S_p K' having a strictly semi-stable formal model over the ring of integers of K', and an étale, surjective morphism f : X' _K' →X _K of rigid-analytic spaces over S_p K. This is different from the alteration result of A.J. de Jong [dJ] who does not obtain that f is étale. To achieve this property we have to work locally on X _K , i.e. our f is not proper and hence not an alteration.