Log-decay $F$-isocrystals on higher dimensional varieties

Abstract: Let $k$ be a perfect field of positive characteristic and let $X$ be a smooth irreducible quasi-compact scheme over $k$. The Drinfeld-Kedlaya theorem states that for an irreducible $F$-isocrystal on $X$, the gap between consecutive generic slopes is bounded by one. In this note we provide a new proof of this theorem. Our proof utilizes the theory of $F$-isocrystals with $r$-log decay. We first show that a rank one $F$-isocrystal with $r$-log decay is overconvergent if $r<1$. Next, we establish a connection between slope gaps and the rate of log-decay of the slope filtration. The Drinfeld-Kedlaya theorem then follows from a simple patching argument.