Sober metric approach spaces (Q1680134)

Approach spaces, introduced in [\textit{R. Lowen}, Math. Nachr. 141, 183--226 (1989; Zbl 0676.54012)], are a common generalization of topological spaces and metric spaces. Sober approach spaces, a counterpart of sober topological spaces in the metric setting, were introduced in [\textit{B. Banaschewski} et al., Topology Appl. 153, No. 16, 3059--3070 (2006; Zbl 1114.54007)] where it was also proved that a topological space is sober as an approach space, if and only if it is sober as a topological space. There was also given a partial answer to the natural question to characterize sober metric approach spaces. The present paper gives a complete answer to this question: a metric space is sober, as an approach space, if and only if it is Smyth complete. A metric space is Smyth complete if every forward Cauchy net in it converges in its symmetrization [\textit{J. Goubault-Larrecq}, Non-Hausdorff topology and domain theory. Selected topics in point-set topology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (2013; Zbl 1280.54002)]. The authors emphasize the point of view that the relationship between approach spaces and metric spaces is analogous to that between topological spaces and ordered sets.