On the classification of quadratic forms over an integral domain of a global function field
Let C be a smooth projective curve defined over the finite field F_q (q is odd)
and let K=F_q(C) be its (global) function field.
Any finite set S of closed points of C gives rise to a Dedekind domain O_S:=F_q[C-S] in K.
We show that given an O_S-regular quadratic space (V,q) of rank n >= 3,
the group Br(O_S)[2] is bijective to the set of genera in the proper classification of quadratic O_S-spaces
isomorphic to V,q for the \'etale topology, thus there are 2^{|S|-1} such.
If (V,q) is isotropic, then Pic(O_S)/2 properly classifies the forms in the genus of (V,q).
This is described concretely when V is split by an hyperbolic plane,
including an explicit algorithm in case C is an elliptic curve.
For n >= 5 this is true for all genera hence the full classification is via the abelian group H^2_et(O_S,\mu_2).
Last Updated Date : 10/11/2016