$L$-orthogonal elements and $L$-orthogonal sequences

Abstract

Given a Banach space $X$, we say that a sequence $\{x_n\}$ in the unit ball of $X$ is $L$-orthogonal if $\Vert x+x_n\Vert\rightarrow 1+\Vert x\Vert$ for every $x\in X$. On the other hand, an element $x^{**}$ in the bidual sphere is said to be $L$-orthogonal (to $X$) if $\|x+x^{**}\|= 1+\Vert x\Vert$ for every $x\in X$. A result of V. Kadets, V. Shepelska and D. Werner asserts that a Banach space contains an isomorphic copy of $\ell_1$ if and only if there exists an equivalent renorming with an $L$-orthogonal sequence, whereas a result of G. Godefroy claims that containing an isomorphic copy of $\ell_1$ is equivalent to the existence of an equivalent renorming with $L$-orthogonals in the bidual. The aim of this paper is to clarify the relation between $L$-orthogonal sequences and $L$-orthogonal elements. Namely, we study whether every $L$-orthogonal sequence contains $L$-orthogonal elements in its weak*-closure. We provide an affirmative answer whenever the ambient space has small density character. Nevertheless, we show that, surprisingly, the general answer is independent of the usual axioms of set theory. We also prove that, even though the set of $L$-orthogonals is not a vector space, this set contains infinite-dimensional Banach spaces when the surrounding space is separable.