Dimension \(c\) of orbits and continuity of translation for semigroups (Q1890812)

Let \(S\) be a semi-topological semigroup and \(\Phi\) a Banach space on which \(S\) acts as a semigroup of linear isometries. Let \(x(\mu)\) denote the effect of \(x \in S\) on \(\mu \in \Phi\) and \(\varepsilon > 0\), we say that \(x \mapsto x(\mu)\) is ``\(\varepsilon\)-uniformly discontinuous'' on a subset \(X\) of \(S\) if for all \(x \in X\) \(\limsup _{X \ni y \to x} |x(\mu) - y(\mu)|> \varepsilon\). The next is the main result in this paper. Theorem. Let \(S\) be a semi-topological semigroup, \(X\) a compact subset of \(S\), \(\varepsilon > 0\), \(\Phi\) a Banach space on which \(S\) acts as a semigroup of linear operators. Let \(\mu \in \Phi\) be such that \(x \mapsto x(\mu)\) is \(\varepsilon\)-uniformly discontinuous on \(X\). Then the following hold: (i) There exists a set \(C \subseteq X\) of cardinality at least \(c\) such that \(x\), \(y \in C\) and \(x \neq y\) imply \(|x (\mu) - y(\mu)|> \varepsilon/2\). (ii) The set \(\{x(\mu) : x \in X\}\) spans a subspace of dimension at least \(c\). Some applications of the main theorem to cancellative semigroups and groups are given. Some examples and open questions are also stated.