\(C(X)\) as a real \(\ell \)-group (Q972542)

We define a real \(f\)-group to be a lattice-ordered abelian group \(L\) containing a copy \(R\) of the reals as a sublattice and subgroup and such that, for any \(f,g,h\in L\) with \(g\leq h\), we have \(f+ g\leq f+ h\). Let \(C(X)\) denote the real \(\ell\)-group of all continuous real-valued functions on a completely regular Hausdorff space \(X\). The object of the present paper is to find conditions on \(L\) such that \(L= C(X_L)\), where \(X_L= \Hom(L,R)\) with each morphism the identity on \(R\). The authors show, among other things, that \(X_L\) is realcompact. We say that \(f\in L\) is bounded in case \(|f|\leq r\) for some \(r\in R\) and denote by \(L^*\) the set of bounded elements of \(L\). The authors find conditions on \(L\) such that \(L^*= C^*(X_L)\) and a further condition such that \(L= C(X_L)\).