Number fields generated by points in linear systems on curves

Abstract: Given a nonconstant morphism from a smooth projective geometrically integral curve $C$ to $\mathbb{P}^1$ over a number field $k$, Hilbert's irreducibility theorem implies that there are infinitely many points $t\in \mathbb{P}^1(k)$ such that the fiber $C_t$ is irreducible. Results in the case of Galois covers control the possible inertia and ramification degrees of places where a (not necessarily Galois) morphism $C\to \mathbb{P}^1$ has good reduction, which determines the isomorphism classes of all unramified subfields of $\mathbf{k}(C_t)$. In this paper, we develop techniques for studying the possible isomorphism classes of ramified maximal subfields of $\mathbf{k}(C_t)$, without passing to a Galois closure. In particular, we describe the realized isomorphism classes of ramified maximal subfields of $\mathbf{k}(C_t)$ as $t$ varies in a single residue disk in terms of an orbit of a single realizable ramified subfield.