An axiomatizable profinite group with infinitely many open subgroups of index 2 (Q2360389)

Let \(D\) be the profinite group given by the direct product, over all odd primes \(p\), of the dihedral group of order \(2p\). The authors prove that a profinite group with the same first-order theory as \(D\) (in the language of groups) is necessarily isomorphic to \(D\). That is, \(D\) is axiomatizable. It is known that finitely-generated profinite groups are axiomatizable [\textit{M. Jarden} and \textit{A. Lubotzky}, Bull. Lond. Math. Soc. 40, No. 5, 887--896 (2008; Zbl 1200.20023)] and more generally that strongly complete profinite groups are axiomatizable [\textit{P. Helbig}, J. Group Theory 20, No. 5, 987--997 (2017; Zbl 1421.20012)]. Recall a profinite group is strongly complete if all its finite index subgroups are open. Moreover, a strongly complete profinite group is small, that is it has only finitely many open subgroups of index \(n\) for each natural number \(n\). That \(D\) is axiomatizable demonstrates that not all axiomatizable profinite groups are small, this answers a question raised by \textit{P. Helbig} [J. Group Theory 20, No. 5, 987--997 (2017; Zbl 1421.20012)].