Abstract
We show that Lubin–Tate theories attached to algebraically closed fields are characterized among $T(n)$-local $\mathbb{E}_\infty$-rings as those that satisfy an analogue of Hilbert’s Nellstellensatz. Furthermore, we show that for every $T(n)$-local $\mathbb{E}_\infty$-ring $R$, the collection of $\mathbb{E}_\infty$-ring maps from $R$ to such Lubin–Tate theories jointly detect nilpotence. In particular, we deduce that every non-zero $T(n)$-local $\mathbb{E}_\infty$-ring $R$ admits an $\mathbb{E}_\infty$-ring map to such a Lubin–Tate theory. As consequences, we construct $\mathbb{E}_\infty$ complex orientations of algebraically closed Lubin–Tate theories, compute the strict Picard spectra of such Lubin–Tate theories, and prove redshift for the algebraic K-theory of arbitrary $\mathbb{E}_\infty$-rings.