Characterizing Lie groups by controlling their zero-dimensional subgroups (Q1743443)

In the paper characterizations are given of Lie groups through ``compact-like'' properties. By ``compact-like'' properties the authors mean (local) compactness, (local) \(\omega\)-boundedness, (local) countable compactness, (local) precompactness, (local) minimality and sequential completeness. A typical result (Theorem 4.5): For a locally \(\omega\)-bounded topological group \(G\) the following conditions are equivalent: {\parindent=8mm \begin{itemize}\item[(i)] \(G\) is a Lie group. \item[(ii)] Every closed zero-dimensional subgroup is discrete. \item[(iii)] Every closed zero-dimensional metric subgroup is discrete. \item[(iv)] Every compact metrizable zero-dimensional subgroup is finite. \end{itemize}} An example is given showing that the condition ``locally \(\omega\)-bounded'' cannot be replaced by ``countably compact''. In the paper many examples are given illustrating the essentiality of the conditions in the main theorems. We mention here Example 9.8: Under the Continuum Hypothesis there exists a minimal, locally countably compact, locally connected nilpotent group of class 2 in which every closed zero-dimensional group is finite but is not Lie. The paper ends with a list of 10 open questions.