Nonequality of dimensions for metric groups (Q952612)

In this paper, the author investigates the dimensional properties of metrizable topological groups. It is well-known that for every metric space \(X\) \(\dim X=\text{Ind}\,X\), however there exist examples of metrizable spaces such that the values of dim and of ind are different. But the question about the coincidence of dimensions for metrizable topological groups has remained open. In this paper, the author gives an answer to the question, as follows. First, the author proves the following criterion: Theorem 1. A topological space \(X\) can be embedded in a metrizable topological group with dimension ind zero if and only if the topology of \(X\) is generated by a uniformity which has a countable base consisting of clopen sets, and if \(X\) can be embedded in a zero-dimensional metrizable group, then it can be embedded in such a group as a closed subspace. This criterion, without the closedness assertion, was formulated by \textit{A. Mishchenko} in [Sov. Math., Dokl. 5, 1603--1605 (1965); translation from Dokl. Akad. Nauk SSSR 159, 753--754 (1964; Zbl 0196.55404)] without proof, however the proof has never been published; the latter author confirmed that he had retained neither notes nor recollections of the proof. Secondly, the present author defines a space \(\nu\mu_0(A)\) which is a special case of Mrówka's space \(\nu\mu_0\) , where \(A\) is an everywhere dense subset of the Cantor space \(C\) and \(C\setminus A\) is of second category. Then, from the argument in \textit{S. Mrówka}'s paper [Rings of continuous functions, Pap. Spec. Sess. Annu. Meet. Am. Math. Soc., Cincinnati/Ohio 1982, Lect. Notes Pure Appl. Math. 95, 247--275 (1985; Zbl 0564.54015)], \(\nu\mu_0(A)\) is a zero-dimensional metrizable space and \(\dim\nu\mu_0(A)>0\). The author proves that the topology of \(\nu\mu_0(A)\) is generated by a uniformity with a countable base consisting of clopen sets, and hence, by Theorem 1, the space \(\nu\mu_0(A)\) can be embedded as a closed subspace in a zero-dimensional metrizable group \(G\). Since \(\nu\mu_0(A)\) is closed in \(G\) and \(\dim\nu\mu_0(A)>0\), the metrizable zero-dimensional topological group \(G\) satisfies \(\dim G>0\). Furthermore, applying Theorem 1 again, she shows that one of Kulesza's zero-dimensional spaces \(Z\) with \(\text{Ind}\,Z=\dim Z=1\) cannot be embedded in any metrizable zero-dimensional topological group.