On constructing topology from algebra

Abstract

In this thesis we explore natural procedures through which topological structure can be constructed from specific semigroups. We will do this in two ways: 1) we equip the semigroup object itself with a topological structure, and 2) we find a topological space for the semigroup to act on continuously. We discuss various minimum/maximum topologies which one can define on an arbitrary semigroup (given some topological restrictions). We give explicit descriptions of each these topologies for the monoids of binary relations, partial transformations, transformations, and partial bijections on a countable set. Using similar methods we determine whether or not each of these semigroups admits a unique Polish semigroup topology. We also do this for the various other semigroups, provide a proof of Rubin's theorem, and give a description of the automorphism groups of the Brin-Thompson groups. The thesis also contains many background results.