No label defined (Q4440915)

\(H\)-asymptotic couples are of crucial importance in understanding the structure of a Hardy field \(K\), and in particular the interaction between the order and the derivation in \(K\). Their model-theoretic treatment may refer to an axiomatic approach and accordingly consider, more generally, pairs \((V, \, \psi)\) where \(V\) is any (additive) ordered abelian group and \(\psi\) is a valuation map on \(V\), taking its values in \(V\) itself, decreasing on the positive elements of \(V\) and satisfying a suitable formulation of the L'Hospital Rule. Here the author pursues the model-theoretic analysis of these objects already developed in a previous paper. Indeed, part of the present work is just a quick overview of those results, with some emphasis on the one asserting that the theory of (general) \(H\)-asymptotic couples has a model companion (the theory of the so-called \textsl{closed} \(H\)-asymptotic couples); in particular every asymptotic couple of \(H\)-type can be embedded into a closed one. Some new topics are also dealt with. For instance, the author discusses the existence of a \textsl{minimal} closed extension, and a negative answer is provided. Also, it is shown that the theory of closed \(H\)-asymptotic couples does not have the independence property. Finally, a possible connection to F.-V. Kuhlmann's contraction groups is treated. For the entire collection see [Zbl 1021.00011].