On topologies defined by irreducible sets (Q478401)

A non-empty subset \(F\) of a topological space is called irreducible if whenever \(F\subseteq A\cup B\) for closed sets \(A\) and \(B,\) then \(F\subseteq A\) or \(F\subseteq B.\) Given a \(T_0\)-topology on a set, the authors use its irreducible sets to define a new topology on that set. The method in which this new topology is derived is inspired by the manner in which the Scott topology of a poset can be constructed from its Alexandroff topology. The investigations of the irreducibly-derived topology lead to a weak concept of sobriety which the authors call k-bounded sobriety. It is shown that a \(T_0\)-space is k-bounded sober if and only if its irreducibly-derived topology coincides with the original topology. Finally the authors formulate several open questions concerning the irreducibly-derived topology.