The K-theory of fields in characteristic p

We show that for a field k of characteristic p, H ⁱ (k,ℤ(n)) is uniquely p-divisible for i≠n (we use higher Chow groups as our definition of motivic cohomology). This implies that the natural map K _n ^M (k)?K _n (k) from Milnor K-theory to Quillen K-theory is an isomorphism up to uniquely p-divisible groups, and that K _n ^M (k) and K _n (k) are p-torsion free. As a consequence, one can calculate the K-theory mod p of smooth varieties over perfect fields of characteristic p in terms of cohomology of logarithmic de Rham Witt sheaves, for example K _n (X,ℤ/p ^r )=0 for n>dimX. Another consequence is Gersten’s conjecture with finite coefficients for smooth varieties over discrete valuation rings with residue characteristic p. As the last consequence, Bloch’s cycle complexes localized at p satisfy all Beilinson-Lichtenbaum-Milne axioms for motivic complexes, except possibly the vanishing conjecture. Oblatum 21-I-1998 & 26-VII-1999 / Published online: 18 October 1999