arXiv subjects

Sebastien Vasey

Publications and source records attributed to Sebastien Vasey.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2024

On Stability and Existence of Models in Abstract Elementary Classes

For an abstract elementary class $\mathbf{K}$ and a cardinal $\lambda \geq LS(\mathbf{K})$, we prove under mild cardinal arithmetic assumptions, categoricity in two succesive cardinals, almost stability for $\lambda^+$-minimal types and continuity of splitting in $\lambda$, that stability in $\lambda$ is equivalent to the existence of a model in $\lambda^{++}$. The forward direction holds without any cardinal or categoricity assumptions, this result improves both [Vas18b, 12.1] and [MaYa24, 3.14]. Moreover, we prove a categoricity theorem for abstract elementary classes with weak amalgamation and tameness under mild structural assumptions in $\lambda$. A key feature of this result is that we do not assume amalgamation or arbitrarily large models.

math.LO↗

arXiv2020

Induced and higher-dimensional stable independence

We provide several crucial technical extensions of the theory of stable independence notions in accessible categories. In particular, we describe circumstances under which a stable independence notion can be transferred from a subcategory to a category as a whole, and examine a number of applications to categories of groups and modules, extending results of [MAa]. We prove, too, that under the hypotheses of [LRV], a stable independence notion immediately yields higher-dimensional independence as in [SV].

math.LO↗

arXiv2020

On categoricity in successive cardinals

We investigate, in ZFC, the behavior of abstract elementary classes (AECs) categorical in many successive small cardinals. We prove for example that a universal $\mathbb{L}_{ω_1, ω}$ sentence categorical on an end segment of cardinals below $\beth_ω$ must be categorical also everywhere above $\beth_ω$. This is done without any additional model-theoretic hypotheses (such as amalgamation or arbitrarily large models) and generalizes to the much broader framework of tame AECs with weak amalgamation and coherent sequences.

math.LO↗

arXiv2020

Cofibrant generation of pure monomorphisms

We show that pure monomorphisms are cofibrantly generated---generated from a set of morphisms by pushouts, transfinite composition, and retracts---in any locally finitely presentable additive category. In particular, this is true in any category of $R$-modules.

math.CT↗

arXiv2020

Accessible categories, set theory, and model theory: an invitation

We give a self-contained introduction to accessible categories and how they shed light on both model- and set-theoretic questions. We survey for example recent developments on the study of presentability ranks, a notion of cardinality localized to a given category, as well as stable independence, a generalization of pushouts and model-theoretic forking that may interest mathematicians at large. We give many examples, including recently discovered connections with homotopy theory and homological algebra. We also discuss concrete versions of accessible categories (such as abstract elementary classes), and how they allow nontrivial `element by element' constructions. We conclude with a new proof of the equivalence between saturated and homogeneous which does not use the coherence axiom of abstract elementary classes.

math.CT↗

arXiv2019

The categoricity spectrum of large abstract elementary classes

The categoricity spectrum of a class of structures is the collection of cardinals in which the class has a single model up to isomorphism. Assuming that cardinal exponentiation is injective (a weakening of the generalized continuum hypothesis, GCH), we give a complete list of the possible categoricity spectrums of an abstract elementary class with amalgamation and arbitrarily large models. Specifically, the categoricity spectrum is either empty, an end segment starting below the Hanf number, or a closed interval consisting of finite successors of the Löwenheim-Skolem-Tarski number (there are examples of each type). We also prove (assuming a strengthening of the GCH) that the categoricity spectrum of an abstract elementary class with no maximal models is either bounded or contains an end segment. This answers several longstanding questions around Shelah's categoricity conjecture.

math.LO↗

arXiv2019

Hilbert spaces and ${C}^\ast$-algebras are not finitely concrete

We show that no faithful functor from the category of Hilbert spaces with linear isometries into the category of sets preserves directed colimits. Thus Hilbert spaces cannot form an abstract elementary class, even up to change of language. We deduce an analogous result for the category of commutative unital $C^\ast$-algebras with $\ast$-homomorphisms. This implies, in particular, that this category is not axiomatizable by a first-order theory, a strengthening of a conjecture of Bankston.

math.CT↗

arXiv2019

Sizes and filtrations in accessible categories

Accessible categories admit a purely category-theoretic replacement for cardinality: the internal size. Generalizing results and methods from arXiv:1708.06782, we examine set-theoretic problems related to internal sizes and prove several Löwenheim-Skolem theorems for accessible categories. For example, assuming the singular cardinal hypothesis, we show that a large accessible category has an object in all internal sizes of high-enough cofinality. We also prove that accessible categories with directed colimits have filtrations: any object of sufficiently high internal size is (the retract of) a colimit of a chain of strictly smaller objects.

math.LO↗

arXiv2019

Categoricity in multiuniversal classes

The third author has shown that Shelah's eventual categoricity conjecture holds in universal classes: class of structures closed under isomorphisms, substructures, and unions of chains. We extend this result to the framework of multiuniversal classes. Roughly speaking, these are classes with a closure operator that is essentially algebraic closure (instead of, in the universal case, being essentially definable closure). Along the way, we prove in particular that Galois (orbital) types in multiuniversal classes are determined by their finite restrictions, generalizing a result of the second author.

math.LO↗

arXiv2019

Cellular categories and stable independence

We exhibit a bridge between the theory of cellular categories, used in algebraic topology and homological algebra, and the model-theoretic notion of stable independence. Roughly speaking, we show that the combinatorial cellular categories (those where, in a precise sense, the cellular morphisms are generated by a set) are exactly those that give rise to stable independence notions. We give two applications: on the one hand, we show that the abstract elementary classes of roots of Ext studied by Baldwin-Eklof-Trlifaj are stable and tame. On the other hand, we give a simpler proof (in a special case) that combinatorial categories are closed under 2-limits, a theorem of Makkai and Rosick\'y.

math.CT↗

arXiv2019

Tameness from two successive good frames

We show, assuming a mild set-theoretic hypothesis, that if an abstract elementary class (AEC) has a superstable-like forking notion for models of cardinality $λ$ and a superstable-like forking notion for models of cardinality $λ^+$, then orbital types over models of cardinality $λ^+$ are determined by their restrictions to submodels of cardinality $λ$. By a superstable-like forking notion, we mean here a good frame, a central concept of Shelah's book on AECs. It is known that locality of orbital types together with the existence of a superstable-like notion for models of cardinality $λ$ implies the existence of a superstable-like notion for models of cardinality $λ^+$, but here we prove the converse. An immediate consequence is that forking in $λ^+$ can be described in terms of forking in $λ$.

math.LO↗

arXiv2019

Forking independence from the categorical point of view

Forking is a central notion of model theory, generalizing linear independence in vector spaces and algebraic independence in fields. We develop the theory of forking in abstract, category-theoretic terms, for reasons both practical (we require a characterization suitable for work in $μ$-abstract elementary classes, i.e. accessible categories with all morphisms monomorphisms) and expository (we hope, with this account, to make forking accessible - and useful - to a broader mathematical audience). In particular, we present an axiomatic definition of what we call a stable independence notion on a category and show that this is in fact a purely category-theoretic axiomatization of the properties of model-theoretic forking in a stable first-order theory.

math.LO↗

arXiv2019

Internal sizes in $μ$-abstract elementary classes

Working in the context of $μ$-abstract elementary classes ($μ$-AECs) - or, equivalently, accessible categories with all morphisms monomorphisms - we examine the two natural notions of size that occur, namely cardinality of underlying sets and internal size. The latter, purely category-theoretic, notion generalizes e.g. density character in complete metric spaces and cardinality of orthogonal bases in Hilbert spaces. We consider the relationship between these notions under mild set-theoretic hypotheses, including weakenings of the singular cardinal hypothesis. We also establish preliminary results on the existence and categoricity spectra of $μ$-AECs, including specific examples showing dramatic failures of the eventual categoricity conjecture (with categoricity defined using cardinality) in $μ$-AECs.

math.LO↗

arXiv2018

Structural Logic and Abstract Elementary Classes with Intersection

We give a syntactic characterization of abstract elementary classes (AECs) closed under intersections using a new logic with a quantifier for isomorphism types that we call structural logic: we prove that AECs with intersections correspond to classes of models of a universal theory in structural logic. This generalizes Tarski's syntactic characterization of universal classes. As a corollary, we obtain that any AEC with countable Löwenheim-Skolem number is axiomatizable in $\mathbb{L}_{\infty, ω} (Q)$, where $Q$ is the quantifier "there exists uncountably many".

math.LO↗

arXiv2018

Universal abstract elementary classes and locally multipresentable categories

We exhibit an equivalence between the model-theoretic framework of universal classes and the category-theoretic framework of locally multipresentable categories. We similarly give an equivalence between abstract elementary classes (AECs) admitting intersections and locally polypresentable categories. We use these results to shed light on Shelah's presentation theorem for AECs.

math.LO↗

arXiv2018

Universal classes near $\aleph_1$

Shelah has provided sufficient conditions for an $L_{ω_1, ω}$-sentence $ψ$ to have arbitrarily large models and for a Morley-like theorem to hold of $ψ$. These conditions involve structural and set-theoretic assumptions on all the $\aleph_n$'s. Using tools of Boney, Shelah, and the second author, we give assumptions on $\aleph_0$ and $\aleph_1$ which suffice when $ψ$ is restricted to be universal: $\mathbf{Theorem}$ Assume $2^{\aleph_{0}} < 2 ^{\aleph_{1}}$. Let $ψ$ be a universal $L_{ω_{1}, ω}$-sentence. - If $ψ$ is categorical in $\aleph_{0}$ and $1 \leq I(ψ, \aleph_{1}) < 2 ^{\aleph_{1}}$, then $ψ$ has arbitrarily large models and categoricity of $ψ$ in some uncountable cardinal implies categoricity of $ψ$ in all uncountable cardinals. - If $ψ$ is categorical in $\aleph_1$, then $ψ$ is categorical in all uncountable cardinals. The theorem generalizes to the framework of $L_{ω_1, ω}$-definable tame abstract elementary classes with primes.

math.LO↗

arXiv2018

Toward a stability theory of tame abstract elementary classes

We initiate a systematic investigation of the abstract elementary classes that have amalgamation, satisfy tameness (a locality property for orbital types), and are stable (in terms of the number of orbital types) in some cardinal. Assuming the singular cardinal hypothesis (SCH), we prove a full characterization of the (high-enough) stability cardinals, and connect the stability spectrum with the behavior of saturated models. We deduce (in ZFC) that if a class is stable on a tail of cardinals, then it has no long splitting chains (the converse is known). This indicates that there is a clear notion of superstability in this framework. We also present an application to homogeneous model theory: for $D$ a homogeneous diagram in a first-order theory $T$, if $D$ is both stable in $|T|$ and categorical in $|T|$ then $D$ is stable in all $λ\ge |T|$.

math.LO↗

arXiv2018

Categoricity and multidimensional diagrams

We study multidimensional diagrams in independent amalgamation in the framework of abstract elementary classes (AECs). We use them to prove the eventual categoricity conjecture for AECs, assuming a large cardinal axiom. More precisely, we show assuming the existence of a proper class of strongly compact cardinals that an AEC which has a single model of some high-enough cardinality will have a single model in any high-enough cardinal. Assuming a weak version of the generalized continuum hypothesis, we also establish the eventual categoricity conjecture for AECs with amalgamation.

math.LO↗