Categoricity in abstract elementary classes with no maximal models (Q2498904)

The author proves the uniqueness of limit models by constructing (quite elaborate) a model that is, simultaneously, a \((\mu,\theta_1)\)- and a \((\mu,\theta_2)\)-limit model for any cardinal \(\mu\) and limit ordinals \(\theta_1,\theta_2< \mu\), under certain assumptions. The stage of the work is about AEC's (abstract elementary classes) which are defined by model-theoretic conditions, instead of by formulas, to generalize the notion of elementary classes. The assumptions, mentioned above, include: that a form of weak diamond holds, the class in question is categorical at some cardinal \(\lambda> \mu\), and any continuous tower has an amalgamable extension. The ultimate target of the work in this area is Shelah's categoricity conjecture: if an AEC \({\mathbf K}\) is categorical at some \(\lambda> \text{Hanf}({\mathbf K})\), then so it is at every \(\mu>\text{Hanf}({\mathbf K})\). Categoricity, the amalgamation property, and the uniqueness of limit models are closely related, as the author explains in the Introduction. Thus, the above result is a big achievement, and yet is just a beginning.