A compact space \(K\) is Corson compact if and only if \(C_p(K)\) has a dense \(lc\)-scattered subspace (Q6180461)

The paper is a contribution to the \(C_p\)-theory, namely the study of the topological vector space \(C(X)\) of continuous real-valued functions on \(X\), endowed with the topology of pointwise convergence on \(X\). When \(X\) is a Banach space, the canonical isometric embedding of \(X\) into \(C(B_{X^*},w^*)\) is also a homeomorphic embedding of \((X,w)\) into \(C_p(B_{X^*},w^*)\). Therefore the \(C_p\)-theory is also of interest for Banach space theorists. For example, a result of Arhangel'skii is that a compact space \(K\) is Corson if and only if \(C_p(K)\) is primarily Lindelöf. In particular, if \(K\) is Corson and \(C_p(K)\) is homeomorphic to \(C_p(L)\), then \(L\) is Corson as well. (The corresponding result for Banach spaces that \(K\) is Corson if and only if \(C(K)\) is WLD is only valid under Martin's Axiom.) The paper is motivated by the question, that originates from a solution to a problem due to Arhangel'skii, whether every compact subset of \(C_p(X)\), for a Lindelöf scattered space \(X\), has to be Corson. The main result of the paper is a positive answer to the problem, via the characterisation that \(K\) is Corson if and only if it embeds in \(C_p(X)\), for some Lindelöf scattered space \(X\). An intermediate result of independent interest is that a compact space \(K\) is Corson if and only if it embeds in a topological \(W\)-group (Theorem 3.11). In order to state the more precise version of the main theorem stated in the title of the paper we need one definition. The author calls a topological space \(X\) \textit{lc-scattered} if \(X\) is a continuous image of a Lindelöf scattered space. Then one has the equivalence (Theorem 3.12) that \(K\) is Corson if and only if \(K\) embeds in \(C_p(X)\) for some lc-scattered space \(X\) (equivalently, for some Lindelöf scattered space \(X\)), if and only if \(C_p(K)\) has a dense lc-scattered subspace (equivalently, a lc-scattered subspace that separates points). The paper contains further results concerning spaces of functions having values in \(\mathbb{D}=\{0,1\}\) and results about the existence of functionally countable subspaces. Finally, the author poses several open questions related to the paper.