Abstract. Based on the construction of the discriminant algebra of an even-ranked quadratic form and Rost's method of shifting quadratic algebras, we give an explicit rational construction of the discriminant algebra of finite-rank algebras and, more generally, of quadratic trace modules, over arbitrary commutative rings. The discriminant algebra is a tensor functor with values in quadratic algebras, and even a symmetric tensor functor with values in quadratic algebras with parity. The automorphism group of a separable quadratic trace module is a smooth, but in general not reductive, group scheme admitting a Dickson type homomorphism into the constant group Z2.
The original publication is available electronically at http://www.springerlink.com, DOI: 10.1007/s00209-007-0123-6