The structure of Whitney blocks (Q281722)

Given a metric continuum \(X\) and its hyperspace \(C(X)\) of subcontinua, a Whitney block for \(C(X)\) is a set of the form \(\mu^{-1}([s,t])\) where \(\mu:C(X)\to[0,1]\) is a Whitney map and \(0\leq s<t<1\). Of course a Whitney level is a set of the form \(\mu^{-1}(t)\), and such spaces have been extensively studied, e.g., [\textit{A. Illanes} and \textit{S. B. Nadler jun.}, Hyperspaces: fundamentals and recent advances. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker (1999; Zbl 0933.54009)]. We remark that the term ``ring'' as used herein means a space homeomorphic to \(S^1\times[0,1]\). Let us quote three of the early results in the paper. Theorem 2.1. Whitney blocks for \(C([0,1])\) are \(2\)-cells. Theorem 2.2. Whitney blocks for \(C(S^1)\) are rings. Corollary 2.8. If \(X\) is either the buckethandle continuum or a solenoid, then each Whitney block for \(C(X)\) is homeomorphic to \(X\times[0,1]\). In addition to results with such specificity as the ones we just quoted, there is much development of theory in Section 2. The title of Section 3 is: Obstructions preventing Whitney blocks to be homeomorphic to \(X\times[0,1]\). This sections delivers on this promise. To give one example we cite: Corollary 3.3. Suppose that \(X\) is a continuum such that \(C(X)\) is finite-dimensional and \(X\) contains a proper nondegenerate indecomposable subcontinuum. Then there exist initial Whitney blocks for \(C(X)\) which are not homeomorphic to \(X\times[0,1]\). The ultimate section, Section 4, deals with arc-like and cell-like continua. To point out the kind of result one can expect here, we quote the first one in this section. Theorem 4.1. If \(X\) is an arc-like continuum, then each Whitney block for \(C(X)\) is \(2\)-cell-like.