Cardinalities of topologies with small base (Q1326771)

Let \(\langle X,T \rangle\) be a topological space; no separation axioms are assumed. The author showed earlier [Isr. J. Math. 83, 369-374 (1993; see the review above)] that if \(T\) has a base \(B\) such that \(\omega=\lambda \leq | B |<2^ \lambda\), then either \(| T |=| B |\) or \(| T | \geq 2^ \lambda\). In the present paper the same conclusion is achieved for arbitrary strong limit cardinals \(\lambda\) with \(\text{cf} (\lambda) = \omega\). The result is proved first under certain set-theoretic assumptions, which are subsequently removed by use of the author's ``potential cofinality'' device (pcf). \{Reviewer's remark: For a friendly introduction to pcf and its uses, see the author's article [Bull. Am. Math. Soc., New. Ser. 26, No. 2, 197-210 (1992; Zbl 0771.03017)]\}.