14 Type Spaces

Definition. Let M be an L-structure, A⊆M. Given an LA-formula φ(x1,…,xn), define

[φ(x1,…,xn)]={p∈SnM(A):φ(x1,…,xn)∈p}.

We have the following basic properties:

We define a topology on SnM(A) (“the logic topology”) by taking [φ(x¯)] for all LA-formulas φ(x¯) as a basis of open sets.

Theorem 14.1. SnM(A) is a totally disconnected compact Hausdorff space.

Proof. Showing that it is a topology is left as an exercise.

Hausdorff: Fix p,q∈SnM(A) distinct. Then there is a φ(x¯) LA-formula such that φ(x¯)∈p and ¬⁡φ(x¯)∈q. Then p∈[φ(x¯)] and q∈[¬⁡φ(x¯)] – these are disjoint.

Compactness: Sufficient to consider open covers consisting of basic open sets. SUppose we have LA-formulas (φi(x¯))i∈I such that SnM(A)=⋃⁡i∈I[φi(x¯)]. Let Σ={¬⁡φi(x¯):i∈I}.

Claim: Σ∪ThA(M) is inconsistent.

Proof of claim: Otherwise N⊨ThA(M), a¯∈Nn such that a¯⊨Σ. Let p=tpN(a¯∕A)∈SnM(A). But p∉[φi(x¯)] ∀⁡i∈I, contradiction.

So by compactness we have finite I0⊆I with

{¬⁡φi(x¯):i∈I0}∪ThA(M)(∗)

inconsistent.

Claim: SnM(A)=⋃⁡i∈I0[φi(x¯)].

Proof: Fix p∈SnM(A). We can realise p in some N⊨ThA(M), i.e. we have a¯∈Nn with a¯⊨p.

By (∗), we have N⊨φi(a¯) for some i∈I0. So φi(x¯)∈p, so p∈[φi(x¯)].

Totally disconnected: In a compact Hausdorff space, we have totally disconnected if and only if two points are separated by a clopen set. All basic sets are clopen, so totally disconnected. □