No label defined (Q4345795)

For a space \(X\) and CW-complex \(K\) we say that \(K\in AE(X)\) if every map \(f: A\to K\) defined on a closed subset \(A\subset X\) extends to a map \(F: X\to K\). In an earlier paper, the first author introduced the notion of extension dimension as follows. For CW-complexes \(K\) and \(L\), we say that \(K\leq L\) provided \(K\in AE(X)\) for a compact space \(X\) implies that \(L\in AE(X)\). For example, \(S^n\leq S^m\) whenever \(n\leq m\), reflecting the fact that \(\dim X\leq n\) implies that \(\dim X\leq m\) whenever \(n\leq m\). This relation gives rise to an equivalence relation on the class of CW-complexes. The extension dimension of \(X\), written \(\text{ext-dim}(X)\), is the minimum of extension types of those \(K\) for which \(K\in AE(X)\). In the earlier paper, it was shown that compact spaces have well-defined extension dimension and that every extension type is the extension dimension of some compact space. The current paper extends the notion of extension dimension to a larger class of spaces that includes all compact spaces and all separable metrizable spaces. Members of this class are referred to as ext-spaces. Furthermore, the paper explores the dual relation: namely, \(X\leq Y\) provided \(K\in AE(X)\) implies \(K\in AE(Y)\). This relation establishes equivalence classes of ext-spaces. The class of a space \(X\) is called its dimension type and is written \([X]\). The extension universe of a complex \(K\) is defined to be the maximum, if it exists, of the family of all dimension types \([X]\) such that \(K\in AE(X)\). For the class of CW-complexes formed by wedging Eilenberg-Maclane complexes, the existence of extension dimension corresponds to the First Bockstein Theorem and the existence of extension universes corresponds to the Dranishnikov Realization Theorem. For the entire collection see [Zbl 0863.00016].