Metrizing the Chabauty topology (Q1663764)

Given a metric space \(M\) which is proper (that is balls in \(M\) are compact) there is a nice compact topology on the set \(\mathcal C(M)\) of its closed subsets which makes a compact space of \(\mathcal C(M)\). It has been used extensively in group theory, starting with the paper of \textit{C. Chabauty} [Bull. Soc. Math. Fr. 78, 143--151 (1950; Zbl 0039.04101)] where it was introduced. The Chabauty topology on \(\mathcal C(M)\) is usually defined by describing a basis of open subsets (given by those subsets of \(\mathcal C(M)\) comprising closed sets which avoid -- respectively intersect -- a given compact -- respectively open -- subset of \(M\)) but it is well-known that it is metrisable. In this short note the author describes a very explicit way of constructing a distance which induces the Chabauty topology; namely he proves that integrating Hausdorff distances in an exhaustion by concentric balls against a sufficiently decreasing function does the job.