Transfinite dimensions Ind\(_m\) (Q952587)

In this paper the author investigates the transfinite dimension \(\text{Ind}_m\) (\(m\) is an integer \(\geq 2\) or \(m=\infty\)) introduced in [\textit{V. V. Fedorchuk}, Russ. Math. Surv. 62, No.~2, 323--374 (2007); translation from Uspekhi Mat. Nauk 62, No.~2, 109--164 (2007; Zbl 1154.54022)]. The dimension has intrinsic properties similar to those of the classical transfinite dimension \(\text{Ind}=\text{Ind}_2\). Morever, \(\text{Ind}_\infty = \text{Dind}\) where Dind was defined by Arkhangel'skij in [\textit{V. Egorov} and \textit{Ju. Podstavkin}, Sov. Math., Dokl. 9, 188--191 (1968); translation from Dokl. Akad. Nauk SSSR 178, 774--777 (1968; Zbl 0164.53302)]. For every normal space \(X\) we have \[ \text{Ind} X = \text{Ind}_2 X \leq \text{Ind}_3X \leq\dots\leq \text{Ind}_mX \leq\dots\leq \text{Ind}_\infty X = \text{Dind} X. \] We can redefine \(\text{Ind}_mX\) by using partitions of finite covers only. A partition \(P\) of a cover \(\mathcal U\) is such that \(X - P = \bigcup \mathcal V\) where \(\mathcal V\) is disjoint and open and refines \(\mathcal U\). \(\text{Ind}_mX <=\alpha\) iff each open cover with \(m\) members has a partition \(P\) such that \(\text{Ind}_m P <\alpha\). For strongly hereditarily normal spaces with \(\text{Ind} X \leq\omega_o\) we have that \(\text{Ind} X = \text{Ind}_mX = \text{Ind}_\infty X = \text{Dind} X\). This is an important result since the equality \(\text{Ind} X = \text{Dind} X\) was unknown for finite values in this generic class of spaces. So we can use the nice product theorems proven by Chatyrko and Pasynkov for Dind also for Ind in finite values. However, the open question on the equality of these dimension remains for transfinite values \(>\omega_o\) even in the compact metric case and for finite values in the (hereditarily) normal (compact) case. An upper bound is given by the author by proving the relation \(\text{Ind} X \leq\omega_o\cdot\text{Ind}_m X\) for normal spaces. If a metrizable space has \(\text{Ind}_m\), then \(\text{Ind}_m\leq\omega_1\). So, for compact countable dimensional spaces a transfinite value of \(\text{Ind}_m\) must exist. Several dimensional proporties are proven for \(\text{Ind}_m\), like the subspace theorem and the sum theorem. A factorization and a compactification theorem for \(\text{Ind}_m\) is given: every normal space \(X\) has a compactification \(bX\) with the same weight such that \(\text{Ind}_mbX\leq\text{Ind}_mX\). The Smirnov spaces \(S_\alpha\) all have \(\text{Ind}_mS_\alpha=\alpha\) for all \(m\).