Stone duality above dimension zero: axiomatising the algebraic theory of \(\mathrm{C}(X)\) (Q502643)

It is well-known that the opposite \(K^{\mathrm{op}}\) of the category \(K\) of compact Hausdorff spaces and continuous maps is not equivalent to any finitary equational class. It is also known that \(K^{op}\) is equivalent to an (infinitary) equational class of algebras in the sense of \textit{J. Słomiński} [Rozprawy Mat. 18, 67 p. (1959; Zbl 0178.34104)] and \textit{F. E. J. Linton} [in: Proc. Conf. Categor. Algebra, La Jolla 1965, 84--94 (1966; Zbl 0201.35003)]. In [Algebra Univers. 15, 153--155 (1982; Zbl 0516.18008)], \textit{J. Isbell} showed that the Lawvere-Linton algebraic theory of such equational class can be generated using a finite number of finitary operations, along with a single operation of countably infinite arity. In 1983, \textit{B. Banaschewski} [Can. J. Math. 36, 1113--1118 (1984; Zbl 0561.18004)] and \textit{J. Rosicky} [Arch. Math. 52, No. 3, 284--288 (1989; Zbl 0665.18004)] independently proved that Isbell's result [loc. cit.] is best possible. The open problem of axiomatizing an equational class equivalent to \(K^{\mathrm{op}}\) by equations is solved in the present paper, where a finite equational axiomatization is given of \(\partial\)-algebras. Up to isomorphism, the latter are expansions of (necessarily semisimple) MV algebras, by the infinitary operation \[ \partial(x_1,x_2,\dots)= \sum_i x_i/2^i. \] Specifically, let \(\Delta\) denote the category whose objects are \(\partial\)-algebras and whose morphisms are MV-homomorphisms that also preserve the \(\partial\) operation. The authors prove that \(K^{\mathrm{op}}\) is equivalent to \(\Delta\). A key tool for the proof is the adjunction constructed by \textit{R. L. O. Cignoli} et al. [J. Pure Appl. Algebra 189, No. 1--3, 37--59 (2004; Zbl 1055.06004)], between the category \(\mathbf {MV}\) of MV-algebras and \(K^{\mathrm{op}}\). In that paper, it is also shown that \(K^{\mathrm{op}}\) is equivalent to the full subcategory of \(\mathbf{MV}\) whose objects are (up to isomorphism) the MV algebras of all \((0,1]\)-valued continuous functions on some compact Hausdorff space. Another main tool for the main result in the paper under review is the categorical equivalence established in the present reviewers paper [J. Funct. Anal. 65, 15--63 (1986; Zbl 0597.46059)], between MV algebras and the category \(G\) of unital abelian lattice-ordered groups. Indeed, complex unital abelian \(C^*\)-algebras are equivalent to a full reflective subcategory of \(G\), and are also equivalent to \(K^{\mathrm{op}}\) via the Gelfand-Naimark duality. For background on MV algebras see [\textit{R. L. O. Cignoli} et al., Algebraic foundations of many-valued reasoning. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers (2000; Zbl 0937.06009)]; and [the reviewer, Advanced Łukasiewicz calculus and MV-algebras. Berlin: Springer (2011; Zbl 1235.03002)].