Minimal topological projective planes (Q909235)

A topology for the point set P of a projective plane \(\Pi =(P,{\mathcal L})\) is called compatible if there exists some topology on \({\mathcal L}\) such that \(\Pi\) is a topological projective plane. All compatible topologies on P define a complete lattice T(\(\Pi)\); this lattice, its atoms (called minimal plane topologies) and the corresponding coordinatizing ternary fields are studied in the paper. A sufficient condition for minimality of a plane topology is that all its ternary fields are minimal. Generalizing the notion of minimal field topologies of type V [\textit{L. Nachbin}, Bull. Am. Math. Soc. 55,1128-1136 (1949; Zbl 0037.200); \textit{H.-J. Kowalsky}, Math. Nachr. 11, 143-185 (1954; Zbl 0058.267)] to ternary fields it is proved: Ternary fields of strictly uniformizable (in particular locally Euclidean or compact) topological planes are always of type V, hence minimal. By the sufficient condition stated above such planes are minimal. The same is shown to be true for orderable planes.