Finite basis for analytic strong \(n\)-gaps (Q2439831)

This article continues the study of the notion of multiple gap, introduced in a recent paper by the authors [Fundam. Math. 213, 15--42 (2011; Zbl 1258.03055)]. They define an order relation between multiple gaps, analytic \(n\)-gaps and weakly countably separated multiple gaps. Multiple gaps that are not weakly countably separated are called strong multiple gaps. The main result is that for a fixed finite number \(n\), there exists only a finite number of equivalence classes of analytic minimal strong \( n\)-gaps. Moreover, for every analytic strong \(n\)-gap \(\Gamma\), there exists a minimal one \(\Gamma '\) such that \(\Gamma '\leq \Gamma \). In the cases when \( n = 2, 3\), it is shown that there exist (up to equivalence and up to permutation) four analytic minimal strong 2-gaps and nine analytic minimal strong 3-gaps which are described at the end of this paper. As an application of these results, it is proved that an analytic strong multiple gap cannot be a clover, giving a partial solution to a problem also posed in the same paper.