Aronszajn trees and the successors of a singular cardinal

From large cardinals we obtain the consistency of the existence of a singular cardinal κ of cofinality ω at which the Singular Cardinals Hypothesis fails, there is a bad scale at κ and κ ⁺⁺ has the tree property. In particular this model has no special κ ⁺-trees.     

On some questions concerning strong compactness

A question of Woodin asks if κ is strongly compact and GCH holds below κ, then must GCH hold everywhere? One variant of this question asks if κ is strongly compact and GCH fails at every regular cardinal δ?< κ, then must GCH fail at some regular cardinal δ?≥ κ? Another variant asks if it is possible for GCH to fail at every limit cardinal less than or equal to a strongly compact cardinal κ. We get a negative answer to the first of these questions and positive answers to the second of these questions for a supercompact cardinal κ in the context of the absence of the full Axiom of Choice.     

Some Remarks on Normal Measures and Measurable Cardinals

We prove two theorems which in a certain sense show that the number of normal measures a measurable cardinal κ can carry is independent of a given fixed behavior of the continuum function on any set having measure 1 with respect to every normal measure over κ . First, starting with a model V ⊨ “ZFC + GCH + o(κ) = δ*” for δ* ≤ κ⁺ any finite or infinite cardinal, we force and construct an inner model N ⊆ V [G] so that N ⊨ “ZF + (∀δ < κ) [DC_δ] + ¬AC_κ + κ carries exactly δ* normal measures + 2^δ = δ⁺⁺ on a set having measure 1 with respect to every normal measure over κ”. There is nothing special about 2^δ = δ here, and other stated values for the continuum function will be possible as well. Then, starting with a modelV ⊨ “ZFC + GCH + κis supercompact”, we force and construct models of AC in which, roughly speaking, regardless of the specified behavior of the continuum function below κ on any set having measure 1 with respect to every normal measure over κ, κ can in essence carry any number of normal measures δ* ≥ κ⁺⁺.     

Global singularization and the failure of SCH

We say that κ is μ-hypermeasurable (or μ-strong) for a cardinal μ≥κ⁺ if there is an embedding j:V→M with critical point κ such that H(μ)^V is included in M and j(κ)>μ. Such a j is called a witnessing embedding.Building on the results in [7], we will show that if V satisfies GCH and F is an Easton function from the regular cardinals into cardinals satisfying some mild restrictions, then there exists a cardinal-preserving forcing extension V^∗ where F is realised on all V-regular cardinals and moreover, all F(κ)-hypermeasurable cardinals κ, where F(κ)>κ⁺, with a witnessing embedding j such that either j(F)(κ)=κ⁺ or j(F)(κ)≥F(κ), are turned into singular strong limit cardinals with cofinality ω. This provides some partial information about the possible structure of a continuum function with respect to singular cardinals with countable cofinality.As a corollary, this shows that the continuum function on a singular strong limit cardinal κ of cofinality ω is virtually independent of the behaviour of the continuum function below κ, at least for continuum functions which are simple in that 2^α∈{α⁺,α⁺⁺} for every cardinal α below κ (in this case every κ⁺⁺-hypermeasurable cardinal in the ground model is witnessed by a j with either j(F)(κ)≥F(κ) or j(F)(κ)=κ⁺).     

Linear orderings and powers of characterizable cardinals

We say that a countable model M completely characterizes an infinite cardinal κ, if the Scott sentence of M has a model in cardinality κ, but no models in cardinality κ⁺. If a structure M completely characterizes κ, κ is called characterizable. In this paper, we concern ourselves with cardinals that are characterizable by linearly ordered structures (cf. Definition 2.1).Under the assumption of GCH, Malitz completely resolved the problem by showing that κ is characterizable if and only if κ=ℵ_α, for some α<ω₁ (cf. Malitz (1968) [7] and Baumgartner (1974) [1]). Our results concern the case where GCH fails.From Hjorth (2002) [3], we can deduce that if κ is characterizable, then κ⁺ is characterizable by a densely ordered structure (see Theorem 2.4 and Corollary 2.5).We show that if κ is homogeneously characterizable (cf. Definition 2.2), then κ is characterizable by a densely ordered structure, while the converse fails (Theorem 2.3).The main theorems are (1) If κ>2^λ is a characterizable cardinal, λ is characterizable by a densely ordered structure and λ is the least cardinal such that κ^λ>κ, then κ^λ is also characterizable (Theorem 5.4) and (2) if ℵ_α and κ^ℵ_α are characterizable cardinals, then the same is true for κ^ℵ_α+β, for all countable β (Theorem 5.5).Combining these two theorems we get that if κ>2^ℵ_α is a characterizable cardinal, ℵ_α is characterizable by a densely ordered structure and ℵ_α is the least cardinal such that κ^ℵ_α>κ, then for all β<α+ω₁, κ^ℵ_β is characterizable (Theorem 5.7). Also if κ is a characterizable cardinal, then κ^ℵ_α is characterizable, for all countable α (Corollary 5.6). This answers a question of the author in Souldatos (submitted for publication) [8].     

Some results on the nonstationary ideal

The strength of precipitousness, presaturatedness and saturatedness of NS_κ and NS _κ ^λ is studied. In particular, it is shown that:

1. The exact strength of “ $NS_{\mu ^ + }^\lambda $ for a regularμ > max(λ, ?₁)” is a (ω,μ)-repeat point.
2. The exact strength of “NS_κ is presaturated over inaccessible κ” is an up-repeat point.
3. “NS_κ is saturated over inaccessible κ” implies an inner model with ?αo(α) =α ⁺⁺.

     

Forcing the Least Measurable to Violate GCH

Starting with a model for “GCH + k is k⁺ supercompact”, we force and construct a model for “k is the least measurable cardinal + 2^k = K⁺”. This model has the property that forcing over it with Add(k,k⁺⁺) preserves the fact k is the least measurable cardinal.     

Singular cardinals and strong extenders

We investigate the circumstances under which there exist a singular cardinal µ and a short (κ,µ)-extender E witnessing “κ is µ-strong”, such that µ is singular in Ult(V, E).     

Note on the point character of l 1-spaces

We prove that for any ordinal α, any integer t ≥ 0, the point character of the space l ₁(ω _{α + t} ) is no more than ω _α . Combined with an earlier result from [5], this yields that for any infinite cardinal κ the point character of l ₁(κ) is the largest cardinal ω _α ≤ κ where α = 0 or a limit ordinal.     

The Hurewicz dichotomy for generalized Baire spaces

By classical results of Hurewicz, Kechris and Saint-Raymond, an analytic subset of a Polish space X is covered by a K_σ subset of X if and only if it does not contain a closed-in-X subset homeomorphic to the Baire space ^ww. We consider the analogous statement (which we call the Hurewicz dichotomy) for ∑₁¹j subsets of the generalized Baire space ^κκ for a given uncountable cardinal κ with κ = κ^<κ. We show that the statement that this dichotomy holds at all uncountable regular cardinals is consistent with the axioms of ZFC together with GCH and large cardinal axioms. In contrast, we show that the dichotomy fails at all uncountable regular cardinals after we add a Cohen real to a model of GCH. We also discuss connections with some regularity properties, like the κ-perfect set property, the κ-Miller measurability, and the κ-Sacks measurability.     

Inner models with large cardinal features usually obtained by forcing

We construct a variety of inner models exhibiting features usually obtained by forcing over universes with large cardinals. For example, if there is a supercompact cardinal, then there is an inner model with a Laver indestructible supercompact cardinal. If there is a supercompact cardinal, then there is an inner model with a supercompact cardinal κ for which 2 ^κ ?=?κ ⁺, another for which 2 ^κ ?=?κ ⁺⁺ and another in which the least strongly compact cardinal is supercompact. If there is a strongly compact cardinal, then there is an inner model with a strongly compact cardinal, for which the measurable cardinals are bounded below it and another inner model W with a strongly compact cardinal κ, such that ${H^{V}_{\kappa^+} \subseteq {\rm HOD}^W}$ . Similar facts hold for supercompact, measurable and strongly Ramsey cardinals. If a cardinal is supercompact up to a weakly iterable cardinal, then there is an inner model of the Proper Forcing Axiom and another inner model with a supercompact cardinal in which GCH?+?V?=?HOD holds. Under the same hypothesis, there is an inner model with level by level equivalence between strong compactness and supercompactness, and indeed, another in which there is level by level inequivalence between strong compactness and supercompactness. If a cardinal is strongly compact up to a weakly iterable cardinal, then there is an inner model in which the least measurable cardinal is strongly compact. If there is a weakly iterable limit δ of <δ-supercompact cardinals, then there is an inner model with a proper class of Laver-indestructible supercompact cardinals. We describe three general proof methods, which can be used to prove many similar results.     

HFD groups in the Solovay model

Hajnal and Juhász proved that under CH there is a hereditarily separable, hereditarily normal topological group without non-trivial convergent sequences that is countably compact and not Lindelöf. The example constructed is a topological subgroup H⊆ω₁² that is an HFD with the following property

(P)

the projection of H onto every partial product I² for I∈ω[ω₁] is onto.

Any such group has the necessary properties. We prove that if κ is a cardinal of uncountable cofinality, then in the model obtained by forcing over a model of CH with the measure algebra on κ², there is an HFD topological group in ω₁² which has property (P).     

Martin’s Maximum and tower forcing

There are several examples in the literature showing that compactness-like properties of a cardinal κ cause poor behavior of some generic ultrapowers which have critical point κ (Burke [1] when κ is a supercompact cardinal; Foreman-Magidor [6] when κ = ω ₂ in the presence of strong forcing axioms). We prove more instances of this phenomenon. First, the Reflection Principle (RP) implies that if $\overrightarrow I $ is a tower of ideals which concentrates on the class $GI{C_{{\omega _1}}}$ of ω ₁-guessing, internally club sets, then $\overrightarrow I $ is not presaturated (a set is ω ₁-guessing iff its transitive collapse has the ω ₁-approximation property as defined in Hamkins [10]). This theorem, combined with work from [16], shows that if PFA ⁺ or MM holds and there is an inaccessible cardinal, then there is a tower with critical point ω ₂ which is not presaturated; moreover, this tower is significantly different from the non-presaturated tower already known (by Foreman-Magidor [6]) to exist in all models of Martin’s Maximum. The conjunction of the Strong Reflection Principle (SRP) and the Tree Property at ω ₂ has similar implications for towers of ideals which concentrate on the wider class $GI{C_{{\omega _1}}}$ of ω ₁-guessing, internally stationary sets. Finally, we show that the word “presaturated” cannot be replaced by “precipitous” in the theorems above: Martin’s Maximum (which implies SRP and the Tree Property at ω ₂) is consistent with a precipitous tower on $GI{C_{{\omega _1}}}$ .     

The Strengths of Some Violations of Covering

We consider two models V₁, V₂ of ZFC such that V₁ ⊆ V₂, the cofinality functions of V₁ and of V₂ coincide, V₁ and V₂ have that same hereditarily countable sets, and there is some uncountable set in V₂ that is not covered by any set in V₁ of the same cardinality. We show that under these assumptions there is an inner model of V₂ with a measurable cardinal κ of Mitchell order κ⁺⁺. This technical result allows us to show that changing cardinal characteristics without changing cofinalities or ω‐sequences (which was done for some characteristics in [13]) has consistency strength at least Mitchell order κ⁺⁺. From this we get that the changing of cardinal characteristics without changing cardinals or ω‐sequences has consistency strength Mitchell order ω₁, even in the case of characteristics that do not stem from a transitive relation. Hence the known forcing constructions for such a change have lowest possible consistency strength. We consider some stronger violations of covering which have appeared as intermediate steps in forcing constructions.     

The Consistency Strength of \aleph_{\omega} and \aleph_{{\omega}_1} Being Rowbottom Cardinals Without the Axiom of Choice

We show that for all natural numbers n, the theory “ZF + DC $_{\aleph_n}$ + $\aleph_{\omega}$ is a Rowbottom cardinal carrying a Rowbottom filter” has the same consistency strength as the theory “ZFC + There exists a measurable cardinal”. In addition, we show that the theory “ZF + $\aleph_{\omega_1}$ is an ω ₂-Rowbottom cardinal carrying an ω ₂-Rowbottom filter and ω ₁ is regular” has the same consistency strength as the theory “ZFC + There exist ω ₁ measurable cardinals”. We also discuss some generalizations of these results.     

Categoricity results for L∞κ

Let V denote a variety of algebras in a countable language. An algebra is said to be L_∞κ-free if it is L_∞κ-equivalent to a (V-) free algebra. If every L_∞ω1-free algebra of cardinality ω₁ is free, then for all infinite cardinals κ every L_∞κ-free algebra of cardinality κ is free. Further, assuming suitable set-theoretic hypotheses, if there is a non-free L_∞ω1-free algebra of cardinality ω₁, then for a proper class of cardinals κ there are non-free L_∞κ-free algebras of cardinality κ. The varieties in which the class of free algebras are definable by a sentence in L_ω1ω are characterized as the weak Schreier varieties in which every L_∞ω-free algebra of cardinality ω₁ is free. A weak Schreier variety is one in which every L_∞ω-elementary substructure of a free algebra is free. In fact, assuming suitable set-theortic hypotheses, for weak Schreier varieties the class of free algebras is definable in L_∞∞ iff it is definable in L_ω1ω. Varieties in uncountable languages are also considered.     

On uncountable cardinal sequences for superatomic Boolean algebras

The countable sequences of cardinals which arise as cardinal sequences of superatomic Boolean algebras were characterized by La Grange on the basis of ZFC set theory. However, no similar characterization is available for uncountable cardinal sequences. In this paper we prove the following two consistency results:

1. Ifθ = 〈κ _α :α <ω ₁〉 is a sequence of infinite cardinals, then there is a cardinal-preserving notion of forcing that changes cardinal exponentiation and forces the existence of a superatomic Boolean algebraB such that θ is the cardinal sequence ofB.
2. Ifκ is an uncountable cardinal such thatκ ^<κ =κ andθ = 〈κ _α :α <κ ⁺〉 is a cardinal sequence such thatκ _α ≥κ for everyα <κ ⁺ andκ _α =κ for everyα <κ ⁺ such that cf(α)<κ, then there is a cardinal-preserving notion of forcing that changes cardinal exponentiation and forces the existence of a superatomic Boolean algebraB such that θ is the cardinal sequence ofB.

     

Noetherian types of homogeneous compacta and dyadic compacta

The Noetherian type of a space is the least κ such that it has a base that is κ-like with respect to reverse inclusion. Just as all known homogeneous compacta have cellularity at most c, they satisfy similar upper bounds in terms of Noetherian type and related cardinal functions. We prove these and many other results about these cardinal functions. For example, every homogeneous dyadic compactum has Noetherian type ω. Assuming GCH, every point in a homogeneous compactum X has a local base that is c(X)-like with respect to containment. If every point in a compactum has a well-quasiordered local base, then some point has a countable local π-base.     

Strong Compactness and a Global Version of a Theorem of Ben‐David and Magidor

Starting with a model in which κ is the least inaccessible limit of cardinals δ which are δ⁺ strongly compact, we force and construct a model in which κ remains inaccessible and in which, for every cardinal γ < κ, □_γ+ω fails but □_{γ+ω, ω} holds. This generalizes a result of Ben‐David and Magidor and provides an analogue in the context of strong compactness to a result of the author and Cummings in the context of supercompactness.     

Resolvability properties via independent families

The authors give a consistent affirmative response to a question of Juhász, Soukup and Szentmiklóssy: If GCH fails, there are (many) extraresolvable, not maximally resolvable Tychonoff spaces. They show also in ZFC that for ω<λ?κ, no maximal λ-independent family of λ-partitions of κ is ω-resolvable. In topological language, that theorem translates to this: A dense, ω-resolvable subset of a space of the form (DI(λ)) is λ-resolvable.