Let $p$ be a prime. Let $V$ be a discrete valuation ring of mixed characteristic $(0,p)$ and index of ramification $e$. Let $f: G rightarrow H$ be a homomorphism of finite flat commutative group schemes of $p$ power order over $V$ whose generic fiber
is an isomorphism. We provide a new proof of a result of Bondarko and Liu that bounds 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. Our bounds are sharper that the ones of Liu, are almost as sharp as the ones of Bondarko, and involve a very simple and short method. As an application we obtain a new proof of an extension theorem for homomorphisms of truncated Barsotti--Tate groups which strengthens Tates 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 $Spec Rsetminus{ideal{m}}$ extends to an abelian schem
e over $Spec R$. We show that such extensions always exist if $ele p-1$, exist in most cases if $ple ele 2p-3$, and do not exist in general if $ege 2p-2$. The case $ele p-1$ implies the uniqueness of integral canonical models of Shimura varieties over a discrete valuation ring $O$ of mixed characteristic $(0,p)$ and index of ramification at most $p-1$. This leads to large classes of examples of Neron models over $O$. If $p>2$ and index $p-1$, the examples are new.
Let $k$ be a perfect field of characteristic $p geq 3$. We classify $p$-divisible groups over regular local rings of the form $W(k)[[t_1,...,t_r,u]]/(u^e+pb_{e-1}u^{e-1}+...+pb_1u+pb_0)$, where $b_0,...,b_{e-1}in W(k)[[t_1,...,t_r]]$ and $b_0$ is an
invertible element. This classification was in the case $r = 0$ conjectured by Breuil and proved by Kisin.
