Critical points in an algebra of elementary embeddings

Abstract: Given two elementary embeddings from the collection of sets of rank less than

l a m b d a

to itself, one can combine them to obtain another such embedding in two ways: by composition, and by applying one to (initial segments of) the other. Hence, a single such nontrivial embedding

j

generates an algebra of embeddings via these two operations, which satisfies certain laws (for example, application distributes over both composition and application). Laver has shown, among other things, that this algebra is free on one generator with respect to these laws. The set of critical points of members of this algebra is the subject of this paper. This set contains the critical point

k a p p a_{0}

of

j

, as well as all of the other ordinals

k a p p a_{n}

in the critical sequence of

j

(defined by

k a p p a_{n + 1} = j (k a p p a_{n})

). But the set includes many other ordinals as well. The main result of this paper is that the number of critical points below

k a p p a_{n}

(which has been shown to be finite by Laver and Steel) grows so quickly with

n

that it dominates any primitive recursive function. In fact, it grows faster than the Ackermann function, and even faster than a slow iterate of the Ackermann function. Further results show that, even just below

k a p p a_{4}

, one can find so many critical points that the number is only expressible using fast-growing hierarchies of iterated functions (six levels of iteration beyond exponentials).

Review text

Given two elementary embeddings from the collection of sets of rank less than \(\lambda\) to itself, one can combine them to obtain another such embedding in two ways: by composition, and by applying one to (initial segments of) the other. Hence, a single such nontrivial embedding \(j\) generates an algebra of embeddings via these two operations, which satisfies certain laws (for example, application distributes over both composition and application). Laver has shown, among other things, that this algebra is free on one generator with respect to these laws. The set of critical points of members of this algebra is the subject of this paper. This set contains the critical point \(\kappa_ 0\) of \(j\), as well as all of the other ordinals \(\kappa_ n\) in the critical sequence of \(j\) (defined by \(\kappa_{n+1}= j(\kappa_ n)\)). But the set includes many other ordinals as well. The main result of this paper is that the number of critical points below \(\kappa_ n\) (which has been shown to be finite by Laver and Steel) grows so quickly with \(n\) that it dominates any primitive recursive function. In fact, it grows faster than the Ackermann function, and even faster than a slow iterate of the Ackermann function. It follows that the algebraic consequences of the Laver-Steel result cannot be proved by primitive recursive methods. Further results show that, even just below \(\kappa_ 4\), one can find so many critical points that the number is only expressible using fast- growing hierarchies of iterated functions (six levels of iteration beyond exponentials).

Recommendations

Cites work

Cited in

(23)

This page was built for publication: Critical points in an algebra of elementary embeddings

Report a bug (only for logged in users!)Click here to report a bug for this page (MaRDI item Q1314541)