General metrics and contracting operations (Q1331969)

This paper extends the theory of \textit{E. M. Jawhari}, \textit{D. Misane} and the first author [Combinatorics and ordered sets, Contemp. Math. 57, 175- 226 (1986; Zbl 0597.54028)]. In the value monoid \(V\), 0 is no longer required to be the least element, and the axiom \(d(x, y)= 0\Leftrightarrow x= y\) is replaced by \(d(x, y)\leq 0\Leftrightarrow x= y\). This seemingly innocuous change has significant consequences leading to a more complex theory. ``The paper is divided in four sections. The first one relates the category of \(V\)-spaces and contractions to the category of relational systems and relational homomorphisms. This is done in a more general setting for \((A, d)\), where \(d\) maps \(A^ n\) to \((V,\leq)\) (for a positive integer \(n\)). In Section 2, for a join-semilattice we define \(m\)-ary contracting operations linking these \(n\)-ary spaces to universal algebras. In this context, we discuss the preservation of \(n\)-ary relations on \(A\), the \(n\)-interpolation property and the extension property. In Section 3, we develop the proper theory of generalized \(V\)- metric spaces. In particular we study the elements of \(V\) appearing as the values of \(d\) for at least one \(V\)-space \((A, d)\). The central notion of hyperconvexity takes a more complex form but is still equivalent to the one-point extension property. Special \(V\)'s may themselves be turned into metric spaces \((V, d_ V)\) and in this case we can embed every \(V\)- metric space into a power of \((V, d_ V)\). This happens when \(V\) is an Heyting algebra, i.e. satisfies an infinite distributive law (for \(+\) and \(\wedge\)). In this case, the notions of injectivity, absolute retracts, retracts of powers of \((V, d_ V)\) and hyperconvexity coincide. Moreover, we can say something about the relations compatible with all contracting operations. Next, we look at the special case of a meet- semilattice with least element 0. A \(V\)-metric space is called then an ultrametric space and the contracting operations form exactly the sets of terms of a congruence affine algebra on \(A\). In Section 4, we first extend an arbitrary binary space \(V\) into an Heyting algebra and we proceed to show that an arbitrary \(V\)-space embeds isometrically into a power of \((V, d_ V)\). We apply this to binary relational systems and to automata. A further application to the structural theory of automata studies the composition of an automaton from given building blocks which are themselves automata. Limiting outselves to feedback-free compositions, but allowing an infinite number of states, we can describe the situation in terms of a hyperconvex ultrametric.'' From the authors' introduction.