Global square sequences in extender models (Q636337)

Working in a fixed extender model \(\mathbf L[E]\) with \(\lambda\)-indexing, the author proves the following theorem. Let \(\mathcal S\) be the class of all singular cardinals and \(A\subseteq\mathcal S\) a class. There is a class \(A'\subseteq A\) such that for all inaccessible \(\kappa\), if \(A\cap\kappa\) is stationary, then \(A'\cap\kappa\) is stationary, and there is a sequence \(\langle C_{\alpha} : \alpha\in\mathcal S\rangle\) satisfying the following conditions: (a) Each \(C_{\alpha}\) is a closed subset of \(\alpha\cap\mathcal S\) and if cf(\(\alpha)>\omega\), then \(C_{\alpha}\) is unbounded in \(\alpha\); (b) \( C_{\bar\alpha}=C_{\alpha}\cap\bar\alpha\) whenever \(\bar\alpha\in C_{\alpha}\); (c) otp\((C_{\alpha})<\alpha\); (d) lim\((C_{\alpha})\cap A'=\emptyset\). In non-mathspeak, the author constructs a global square sequence in extender models with \(\lambda\)-indexing. The author points out that an earlier result of Burke and Jensen (proved independently) shows that the principle \(\square_{\kappa}\) fails whenever \(\kappa\) is subcompact and that the above theorem means that subcompacts are the only obstacle to the existence of global square sequences in extender models; thus an extender model with \(\lambda\)-indexing and no subcompact cardinals satisfies the principle \(\square_{\kappa}\).