The structure of totally disconnected, locally compact groups (Q1340916)

Some theorems for totally disconnected groups are established which may form the beginning of a structure theory for such groups. The theorems imply that on each totally disconnected group there is a continuous `scale function', \(\mathbf s\), which takes positive integral values. The scale function provides a way to distinguish between groups and also carries information about the divisibility of group elements. It is related to the modular function, \(\Delta\), by \(\Delta(x) = {\mathbf s}(x){\mathbf s}(x^{-1})^{-1}\), (\(x\in G\)). Furthermore, \({\mathbf s}(x) = 1 = {\mathbf s}(x^{-1})\) if and only if \(x\) normalizes some compact, open subgroup of \(G\). The values of the scale function on the automorphism groups of homogeneous trees are computed.