Completeness in generalized ultrametric spaces (Q2263120)

A triple \((X,d,\Gamma)\) is called a \(\Gamma\)-ultrametric space if \(X\) is a non-empty set, \(\Gamma\) is a complete lattice with minimal element 0, and \(d: X\times X\to\Gamma\) is a function satisfying (1) \(d(x,y)= 0\) if and only if \(x=y\), (2) \(d(x,y)=d(y,x)\), and (3) \(d(x,z)\leq d(x,y)\vee d(y,z)\) for all \(x,y,z\in X\). \(\Gamma\)-ultrametric spaces were introduced by \textit{S. Priess-Crampe} and \textit{P. Ribenboim} [Abh. Math. Semi. Univ. Hamburg 66, 55--73 (1996; Zbl 0922.54028)] as a natural generalization of ultrametric spaces and have been studied since then by several authors. This paper concentrates on the relationships between four notions of completeness for \(\Gamma\)-ultrametric spaces, namely spherical completeness, Cauchy completeness, strong Cauchy completeness, and injectivity. Spherical completeness is characterized by the convergence of \(\gamma\)-Cauchy nets. It is shown that strong Cauchy completeness implies spherical completeness, but there are spherically complete \(\Gamma\)-ultrametric spaces that are not strongly Cauchy complete. However, if \(\Gamma\) is linearly ordered, then the two concepts coincide. Regarding injectivity [Proc. Am. Math. Soc. 101, 571--576 (1987; Zbl 0631.54014)], \textit{J. M. Bayod} and \textit{J. Martinez-Maurica} proved that an ultrametric space is injective (in the sense of category theory) if and only if it is spherically complete. This result is generalized by showing that a \(\Gamma\)-ultrametric space is injective if and only if it is strongly Cauchy complete. The author further shows that Cauchy completeness, which of course is implied by strong Cauchy completeness, is different from spherical completeness with examples for a \(\Gamma\)-ultrametric space that is spherically complete, but not Cauchy complete, and a \(\Gamma\)-ultrametric space that is Cauchy complete, but not spherically complete. Finally, it is established that every \(\Gamma\)-ultrametric space has a Cauchy completion, an injective hull, and a minimal strongly Cauchy complete extension, but not necessarily a strong Cauchy completion.