A characterization of cardinals \(\kappa\) such that \(2^{\lambda}=2^{\kappa}\) whenever \(\kappa \leq \lambda <2^{\kappa}\) (Q1124587)

An earlier result of the second author [Bull. Am. Math. Soc. 81, 907-909 (1975; Zbl 0339.02059)] is that if \(2^{\omega}\) is a real-valued measurable cardinal, or indeed carries a \(2^{\omega}\)-complete \(\sigma\)-saturated ideal, then \(2^{\omega}=2^{\lambda}\) for all infinite cardinals \(\lambda <2^{\omega}\). This result is generalized in the present paper. The main theorem gives five conditions that are each equivalent to the condition \(2^{\lambda}=\nu\) for all \(\lambda\) such that \(\kappa <\lambda <\nu\), where \(\kappa\) is an infinite cardinal and \(\nu =2^{\kappa}\). Two of these conditions amount to: (1) For every family \({\mathcal A}\) of subsets of \(\nu^+\) with \(| {\mathcal A}| <\nu\), there are \(S\subseteq \nu^+\) and \(x\in S\) such that (i) if \({\mathcal B}\) is a pairwise disjoint subfamily of \({\mathcal A}\) with \(B\cap S\) non-empty for all \(B\in {\mathcal B}\), then \(| {\mathcal B}| \leq \kappa\), and (ii) \(| A\cap S| \geq 2\) for all \(A\in {\mathcal A}\) with \(x\in A.\) (2) Every subalgebra of \({\mathcal P}\nu^+\) which is generated by the singletons and at most \(\tau\) additional sets (for any \(\tau <\nu)\) has a \(\tau^+\)-complete weakly \(\kappa^+\)-saturated non-trivial ideal. The significant feature of this paper is to consider ideals in small subalgebras of the power set algebra. This results in conditions that need not imply the existence of large cardinals.