Some applications of the ultrapower theorem to the theory of compacta (Q1840719)

Given a compact space \(X\) and an ultrafilter \(u\) on a set \(I\), one defines \(X_u=\beta\pi^{-1}(u)\), where \(\pi:I\times X\to I\) is the natural projection and \(\beta\pi\) its Čech-Stone extension. The author calls \(X_u\) the ultracopower of \(X\) by the ultrafilter \(u\). The `co' suggests that there is a duality involved and, indeed, one can obtain \(X_u\) as the Wallman space of the ultrapower by \(u\) of the lattice of closed sets of \(X\), or as the structure space of the ultrapower by \(u\) of the Banach algebra \(C(X)\). Inspired by \textit{S. Shelah}'s ultrapower theorem [Israel J. Math. 10, 224-233 (1971; Zbl 0224.02045)] the author calls a continuous map \(f:X\to Y\) co-elementary if there is an ultrafilter \(u\) such that \(f_u:X_u\to Y_u\) is a homeomorphism. A co-existential map is an \(f:X\to Y\) such that there are an ultrafilter \(u\) and a map \(h:Y_u\to X\) such that the natural map \(\delta_u:Y_u\to Y\) factors as \(f\circ h\). Co-existential maps preserve many properties, e.g., disconnectedness and (hereditary) indecomposability. Every compact space is the continuous image of a co-existentially closed (every map onto it is co-existential) compact space. A co-existentially closed continuum is indecomposable, whence every continuum is the continuous image of an indecomposable one.