When is the Isbell topology a group topology? (Q972532)

Let \(X\), \(Z\) be topological spaces and \(C(X,Z)\) denote the space of continuous mappings from \(X\) into \(Z\). We write \(C_K(X,Y)\) (resp. \(C_k(X,Y)\)) for \(C(X,Z)\) endowed with the Isbell topology (resp. the compact open topology). The object of this paper is to study conditions under which \(C_K(X,G)\) is a topological group when \(G\) is a topological group. We say that \(X\) is \(Z\)-consonant in case \(C_K(X,Z)= C_k(X,Z)\), and that \(X\) is consonant in case it is \(Z\)-consonant for every \(Z\). The authors show, among other things, that if \(X\) is completely regular and \(R\)-consonant, then \(X\) is consonant. They also show that if \(X\) is consonant, then \(C_K(X,R)\) is a topological vector space. Another result is that if \(Z\) is completely regular, then \(C_K(X,Z)\) is completely regular. A number of open questions are also posed.