A Dimension-Two Counterexample to the Separable Jacobian Conjecture in Characteristic Two

Abstract

Let k be the algebraic closure of F_2. We study the polynomial endomorphism F=(P,Q) of the affine plane, where P=x+x^2 y+x^4+x^6 y^2 and Q=y+x^5+x^6 y+x^7 y^2+x^8 y^3. Its Jacobian determinant is 1, while the three distinct points (0,1), (1,0), and (1,1) have the same image. We prove that [k(x,y):k(P,Q)]=3 and that the extension is separable. Thus the generic degree is prime to the characteristic although F is not an automorphism, giving a dimension-two counterexample to the separable Jacobian conjecture in characteristic two. The proof uses explicit recovery from a hidden cubic, irreducibility over the actual target field, and a bridge between function-field embeddings and the geometric generic fiber. We also give an explicit graph presentation proving that F is etale and derive the map from a coordinate-permuted form of a three-variable map of Irit Huq-Kuruvilla. An appendix records the precise scope and evidence boundaries of a Lean formalization and an independent Harmonic Aristotle replay.