The Lindelöf number of \(C_{p}(X) \times C_{p}(X)\) for strongly zero-dimensional \(X\) (Q657401)

One of the long-standing problems about the spaces \(C_p(X)\) is the question whether the Lindelöf number of the square of \(C_p(X)\) can be greater than that of \(C_p(X)\). The author proves that if \(X\) is a strongly zero-dimensional space, then the Lindelöf number of \(C_p(X)\times C_p(X)\) coincides with the Lindelöf number of \(C_p(X)\). This follows once it is established that if \(X\) is a strongly zero-dimensional space and \(M\) is a locally compact 2nd countable space then \(C_p(X,M)\) is a continuous image of a closed subspace of \(C_p(X)\). It is also shown that the Lindelöf number of \((C_p(X^n))^{\kappa}\) is not greater than the Lindelöf number of \((C_p(X))^{\kappa}\), whenever \(\kappa\) is an infinite cardinal, and \(X\) is a strongly zero-dimensional union of \(\kappa\)-many compact subspaces. The paper concludes with a list of open problems.