The Boolean space of \({\mathbf R}\)-places (Q618677)

If \(K\) is a (formally) real field, the family \(\mathcal{X}(K)\) of all orders \(P\) of \(K\) is endowed with the Harrison topology. Its subbasic sets are the sets \(H_K(a)=\{P: a\in P\},\) \(a\in K^*\). It is known that \(\mathcal{X}(K)\) is a Boolean space (compact, Hausdorff, totally disconnected). \textit{T. C. Craven} [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 209, 225--235 (1975; Zbl 0315.12106)] showed that every Boolean space occurs in this way. An ordering \(P\) of \(K\) gives rise to a valuation ring \(A(P)\) of \(K\) with (unique) maximal ideal \(I(P).\) The field \(k(P)=A(P)/I(P)\) is archimedically ordered and thus can be viewn as a subfield of \(\mathbb{R},\) giving hence rise to a real place \(\xi_P: K \rightarrow \mathbb{R} \cup \{\infty\}\); see \textit{E. Becker} [Lect. Notes Math. 959, 1--40 (1982; Zbl 0508.14013)] for background. Let \(M(K)\) denote the set of real places of \(K\). The map \(\mathcal{X}(K)\ni P\mapsto \xi_P\in M(K)\) is onto and one equips it with the quotient topology from \(\mathcal{X}(K).\) By earlier literature [see \textit{Yu. L. Ershov}, Math. Notes 6, 577--582 (1969); translation from Mat. Zametki 6, 201--211 (1969; Zbl 0185.28802)], it is noted that every finite Boolean space is homeomorphic to a space of real places. For infinite cardinals \(\mathfrak{m}\) the autor shows that there exists a formally real field \(K\) of cardinal \(\mathfrak{m}\) so that one has the homeomorphism \(M(K)\cong D_{\mathfrak{m}},\) the latter being the Cantor cube. Using that every Boolean space is a closed subset of \(D_{\mathfrak{m}},\) she finally proves using the theory of signatures and extensions of ordered fields, see \textit{E. Becker, J. Harmann} and \textit{A. Rosenberg} [J. Reine Angew. Math. 330, 53--75 (1982; Zbl 0466.12007)], her main result which solves a problem posed in papers by \textit{E. Becker} and \textit{D. Gondard} [Real analytic and algebraic geometry. Proceedings of the international conference, Trento, Italy, September 21-25, 1992. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter. 21--46 (1995; Zbl 0869.12002)], and \textit{D. Gondard} and \textit{M. Marshall} [Contemp. Math. 253, 77--113 (2000; Zbl 1106.12300)]: Every Boolean space is homeomorphic to a space of real places of some formally real field.