The isomorphism number (resp. isogeny cutoff) of a p-divisible group D over
an algebraically closed field is the least positive integer m such that D[p^m]
determines D up to isomorphism (resp. up to isogeny). We show that these
invariants are lower semicontinuous in families of p-divisible groups of
constant Newton polygon. Thus they allow refinements of Newton polygon strata.
In each isogeny class of p-divisible groups, we determine the maximal value of
isogeny cutoffs and give an upper bound for isomorphism numbers, which is shown
to be optimal in the isoclinic case.
Let p be a prime. Let V be a discrete valuation ring of mixed characteristic
(0,p) and index of ramification e. Let f: G \to H be a homomorphism of finite
flat commutative group schemes of p power order over V whose generic fiber is
an isomorphism. We bound the kernel and the cokernel of the special fiber of f
in terms of e. For e < p-1 this reproves a result of Raynaud. As an application
we obtain an extension theorem for homomorphisms of truncated Barsotti--Tate
groups which strengthens Tate's extension theorem for homomorphisms of
p-divisible groups.
Let $p$ be a prime. Let $(R,\ideal{m})$ be a regular local ring of mixed
characteristic $(0,p)$ and absolute index of ramification $e$. We provide
general criteria of when each abelian scheme over $\Spec
R\setminus\{\ideal{m}\}$ extends to an abelian scheme over $\Spec R$. We show
that such extensions always exist if $e\le p-1$, exist in most cases if $p\le
e\le 2p-3$, and do not exist in general if $e\ge 2p-2$.