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# The Roelcke compactification of groups of homeomorphisms

## § 1. Introduction

Let $`G`$ be a topological group. There are at least four natural uniform structures on $`G`$ which are compatible with the topology : the left uniformity $``$, the right uniformity $``$, their least upper bound $``$ and their greatest lower bound $``$. In  the uniformity $``$ is called the lower uniformity on $`G`$; we shall call it the Roelcke uniformity, as in . Let $`𝒩(G)`$ be the filter of neighbourhoods of unity in $`G`$. When $`U`$ runs over $`𝒩(G)`$, the covers of the form $`\{xU:xG\}`$, $`\{Ux:xG\}`$, $`\{xUUx:xG\}`$ and $`\{UxU:xG\}`$ are uniform for $``$, $``$, $``$ and $``$, respectively, and generate the corresponding uniformity.

All topological groups are assumed to be Hausdorff. A uniform space $`X`$ is precompact if its completion is compact or, equivalently, if every uniform cover of $`X`$ has a finite subcover. For any topological group $`G`$ the following are equivalent: (1) $`G`$ is $``$-precompact; (2) $`G`$ is $``$-precompact; (3) $`G`$ is $``$-precompact; (4) $`G`$ is a topological subgroup of a compact group. If these conditions are satisfied, $`G`$ is said to be precompact. Let us say that $`G`$ is Roelcke-precompact if $`G`$ is precompact with respect to the Roelcke uniformity. A group $`G`$ is precompact if and only if for every $`U𝒩(G)`$ there exists a finite set $`FG`$ such that $`UF=FU=G`$. A group $`G`$ is Roelcke-precompact if and only if for every $`U𝒩(G)`$ there exists a finite $`FG`$ such that $`UFU=G`$. Every precompact group is Roelcke-precompact, but not vice versa. For example, the unitary group of a Hilbert space or the group $`\mathrm{Symm}(E)`$ of all permutations of a discrete set $`E`$, both with the pointwise convergence topology, are Roelcke-precompact but not precompact , . Unlike the usual precompactness, the property of being Roelcke-precompact is not inherited by subgroups. (If $`H`$ is a subgroup of $`G`$, in general the Roelcke uniformity of $`H`$ is finer than the uniformity induced on $`H`$ by the Roelcke uniformity of $`G`$.) Moreover, every topological group is a subgroup of a Roelcke-precompact group .

The Roelcke completion of a topological group $`G`$ is the completion of the uniform space $`(G,)`$. If $`G`$ is Roelcke-precompact, the Roelcke completion of $`G`$ will be called the Roelcke compactification of $`G`$.

A topological group is minimal if it does not admit a strictly coarser Hausdorff group topology. Let us say that a group $`G`$ is topologically simple if $`G`$ has no closed normal subgroups besides $`G`$ and $`\{1\}`$. It was shown in ,  that the Roelcke compactification of some important topological groups has a natural structure of an ordered semigroup with an involution, and that the study of this structure can be used to prove that a given group is minimal and topologically simple. In the present paper we apply this method to some groups of homeomorphisms.

A semigroup is a set with an associative binary operation. Let $`S`$ be a semigroup with the multiplication $`(x,y)xy`$. We say that a self-map $`xx^{}`$ of $`S`$ is an involution if $`x^{}=x`$ and $`(xy)^{}=y^{}x^{}`$ for all $`x,yS`$. Every group has a natural involution $`xx^1`$. An element $`xS`$ is symmetrical if $`x^{}=x`$, and a subset $`AS`$ is symmetrical if $`A^{}=A`$. An ordered semigroup is a semigroup with a partial order $``$ such that the conditions $`xx^{}`$ and $`yy^{}`$ imply $`xyx^{}y^{}`$. An element $`xS`$ is idempotent if $`x^2=x`$.

Let $`K`$ be a compact space. A closed relation on $`K`$ is a closed subset of $`K^2`$. Let $`E(K)`$ be the compact space of all closed relations on $`K`$, equipped with the Vietoris topology. If $`R,SE(K)`$, then the composition of $`R`$ and $`S`$ is the relation $`RS=\{(x,y):z((x,z)S\text{ and }(z,y)R)\}`$. The relation $`RS`$ is closed, since it is the image of the closed subset $`\{(x,z,y):(x,z)S,(z,y)R\}`$ of $`K^3`$ under the projection $`K^3K^2`$ which is a closed map. If $`RE(K)`$, then the inverse relation $`\{(x,y):(y,x)R\}`$ will be denoted by $`R^{}`$ or by $`R^1`$; we prefer the first notation, since we are interested in the algebraic structure on $`E(K)`$, and in general $`R^1`$ is not an inverse of $`R`$ in the algebraic sense. The set $`E(K)`$ has a natural partial order. Thus $`E(K)`$ is an ordered semigroup with an involution. In general the map $`(R,S)RS`$ from $`E(K)^2`$ to $`E(K)`$ is not (even separately) continuous.

For $`RE(K)`$ let $`\mathrm{Dom}R=\{x:y((x,y)R)\}`$ and $`\mathrm{Ran}R=\{y:x((x,y)R)\}`$. Put $`E_0(K)=\{RE(K):\mathrm{Dom}R=\mathrm{Ran}R=K\}`$. The set $`E_0(K)`$ is a closed symmetrical subsemigroup of $`E(K)`$.

Denote by $`\mathrm{Aut}(K)`$ the group of all self-homeomorphisms of $`K`$, equipped with the compact-open topology. For every $`h\mathrm{Aut}(K)`$ let $`\mathrm{\Gamma }(h)=\{(x,h(x)):xK\}`$ be the graph of $`h`$. The map $`h\mathrm{\Gamma }(h)`$ from $`\mathrm{Aut}(K)`$ to $`E_0(K)`$ is a homeomorphic embedding and a morphism of semigroups with an involution. Identifying every self-homeomorphism of $`K`$ with its graph, we consider the group $`\mathrm{Aut}(K)`$ as a subspace of $`E_0(K)`$.

We say that a compact space $`X`$ is $`h`$-homogeneous if $`X`$ is zero-dimensional and all non-empty clopen subsets of $`X`$ are homeomorphic to each other.

###### \No{main}. Main Theorem

Let $`X`$ be an $`h`$-homogeneous compact space, and let $`G=\mathrm{Aut}(X)`$ be the topological group of all self-homeomorphisms of $`X`$. Then:

In the case when $`X=2^\omega `$ is the Cantor set, the minimality of $`\mathrm{Aut}(X)`$ was proved by D. Gamarnik .

Let us explain how to deduce the second part of Theorem from the first. Let $`G=\mathrm{Aut}(X)`$ be such as in Theorem , and let $`f:GG^{}`$ be a continuous onto homomorphism. We must prove that either $`f`$ is a topological isomorphism or $`|G^{}|=1`$. Let $`\mathrm{\Theta }=E_0(X)`$. The first part of Theorem implies that $`f`$ can be extended to a map $`F:\mathrm{\Theta }\mathrm{\Theta }^{}`$, where $`\mathrm{\Theta }^{}`$ is the Roelcke compactification of $`G^{}`$. Let $`e^{}`$ be the unity of $`G^{}`$, and let $`S=F^1(e^{})`$. Then $`S`$ is a closed symmetrical subsemigroup of $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$. Let $`\mathrm{\Delta }`$ be the diagonal in $`X^2`$. The set $`\{rS:\mathrm{\Delta }r\}`$ has a largest element. Denote this element by $`p`$. Then $`p`$ is a symmetrical idempotent in $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$ and hence an equivalence relation on $`X`$. The semigroup $`S`$ is invariant under inner automorphisms of $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$, and so is the relation $`p`$. But there are only two $`G`$-invariant closed equivalence relations on $`X`$, namely $`\mathrm{\Delta }`$ and $`X^2`$. If $`p=\mathrm{\Delta }`$, then $`SG`$, $`G=F^1(G^{})`$ and $`f`$ is perfect. Since $`G`$ has no non-trivial compact normal subgroups, we conclude that $`f`$ is a homeomorphism. If $`p=X^2`$, then $`S=\mathrm{\Theta }`$ and $`G^{}=\{e^{}\}`$.

A similar argument was used in  to prove that every topological group is a subgroup of a Roelcke-precompact topologically simple minimal group, and in  to yield an alternative proof of Stoyanov’s theorem asserting that the unitary group of a Hilbert space is minimal , . For more information on minimal groups, see the recent survey by D. Dikranjan .

We prove the first part of Theorem in Section 2, and the second part in Section 4.

## § 2. Proof of Main Theorem, part 1

Let $`X`$ be an $`h`$-homogeneous compact space, and let $`G=\mathrm{Aut}(X)`$. Let $`\mathrm{\Theta }=E_0(X)`$ be the semigroup of all closed relations $`R`$ on $`X`$ such that $`\mathrm{Dom}R=\mathrm{Ran}R=X`$. We identify $`G`$ with the set of all invertible elements of $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$. We prove in this section that $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$ can be identified with the Roelcke compactification of $`G`$.

The space $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$, being compact, has a unique compatible uniformity. Let $`𝒰`$ be the uniformity that $`G`$ has as a subspace of $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$. The first part of Theorem is equivalent to the following:

###### \No{Roel}. Theorem

Let $`X`$ be an $`h`$-homogeneous compact space, $`\mathrm{\Theta }=E_0(X)`$, and $`G=\mathrm{Aut}(X)`$. Identify $`G`$ with the set of all invertible elements of $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$. Then:

Let us first introduce some notation. Let $`\gamma =\{U_\alpha :\alpha A\}`$ be a finite clopen partition of $`X`$. A $`\gamma `$-rectangle is a set of the form $`U_\alpha \times U_\beta `$, $`\alpha ,\beta A`$. Given a relation $`R\mathrm{\Theta }`$, denote by $`M(\gamma ,R)`$ the set of all pairs $`(\alpha ,\beta )A\times A`$ such that $`R`$ meets the rectangle $`U_\alpha \times U_\beta `$. Let $`𝒱(\gamma ,R)`$ be the family $`\{U_\alpha \times U_\beta :(\alpha ,\beta )M(\gamma ,R)\}`$ of all $`\gamma `$-rectangles which meet $`R`$. If $`r`$ is a subset of $`A\times A`$, put

$$O_{\gamma ,r}=\{R\mathrm{\Theta }:M(\gamma ,R)=r\}.$$

The sets of the form $`O_{\gamma ,r}`$ constitute a base of $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$. Denote by $`E_0(A)`$ the set of all relations $`r`$ on $`A`$ such that $`\mathrm{Dom}r=\mathrm{Ran}r=A`$. A set $`O_{\gamma ,r}`$ is non-empty if and only if $`rE_0(A)`$.

Let $`O_\gamma (R)`$ be the set of all relations $`S\mathrm{\Theta }`$ which meet the same $`\gamma `$-rectangles as $`R`$. We have $`O_\gamma (R)=O_{\gamma ,r}`$, where $`r=M(\gamma ,R)`$. The sets of the form $`O_\gamma (R)`$ constitute a base at $`R`$. If $`\lambda `$ is another clopen partition of $`X`$ which refines $`\gamma `$, then $`O_\lambda (R)O_\gamma (R)`$.

###### Demonstration Proof of Theorem

Our proof proceeds in three parts.

(a): We prove that $`G`$ is dense in $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$.

Let $`\gamma =\{U_\alpha :\alpha A\}`$ be a finite clopen partition of $`X`$ and $`rE_0(A)`$. We must prove that $`O_{\gamma ,r}`$ meets $`G`$. Decomposing each $`U_\alpha `$ into a suitable number of clopen pieces, we can find a clopen partition $`\{W_{\alpha ,\beta }:(\alpha ,\beta )r\}`$ of $`X`$ such that $`U_\alpha =\{W_{\alpha ,\beta }:(\alpha ,\beta )r\}`$ for every $`\alpha A`$. Similarly, there exists a clopen partition $`\{W_{\alpha ,\beta }^{}:(\alpha ,\beta )r\}`$ of $`X`$ such that $`U_\beta =\{W_{\alpha ,\beta }^{}:(\alpha ,\beta )r\}`$ for every $`\beta A`$. Let $`fG`$ be a self-homeomorphism of $`X`$ such that $`f(W_{\alpha ,\beta })=W_{\alpha ,\beta }^{}`$ for every $`(\alpha ,\beta )r`$. The graph of $`f`$ meets each rectangle of the form $`W_{\alpha ,\beta }\times W_{\alpha ,\beta }^{}`$, $`(\alpha ,\beta )r`$, and is contained in the union of such rectangles. It follows that $`M(\gamma ,f)=r`$ and $`fGO_{\gamma ,r}\mathrm{}`$.

(b): We prove that the uniformity $`𝒰`$ is coarser than $``$.

This is a special case of the following:

###### \No{compunif}. Lemma

For every compact space $`K`$ the map $`h\mathrm{\Gamma }(h)`$ from $`\mathrm{Aut}(K)`$ to $`E_0(K)`$ is $``$-uniformly continuous.

###### Demonstration Proof

It suffices to prove that the map under consideration is $``$-uniformly continuous and $``$-uniformly continuous. Let $`d`$ be a continuous pseudometric on $`K`$. Let $`d_2`$ be the pseudometric on $`K^2`$ defined by $`d_2((x,y),(x^{},y^{}))=d(x,x^{})+d(y,y^{})`$, and let $`d_H`$ be the corresponding Hausdorff pseudometric on $`E_0(K)`$. If $`R,SE_0(K)`$ and $`a>0`$, then $`d_H(R,S)a`$ if and only if each of the relations $`R`$ and $`S`$ is contained in the closed $`a`$-neighbourhood of the other with respect to $`d_2`$. The pseudometrics of the form $`d_H`$ generate the uniformity of $`E_0(K)`$.

Let $`d_s`$ be the right-invariant pseudometric on $`\mathrm{Aut}(K)`$ defined by $`d_s(f,g)=`$

$`sup\{d(f(x),g(x)):xK\}`$. The pseudometrics of the form $`d_s`$ generate the right uniformity $``$ on $`\mathrm{Aut}(K)`$. Since $`d_H(\mathrm{\Gamma }(f),\mathrm{\Gamma }(g))d_s(f,g)`$, the map $`\mathrm{\Gamma }:\mathrm{Aut}(K)E_0(K)`$ is $``$-uniformly continuous. For the left uniformity $``$ we can either use a similar argument, or note that the involution on $`\mathrm{Aut}(K)`$ is an isomorphism between $``$ and $``$, and use the formula $`\mathrm{\Gamma }(f)=\mathrm{\Gamma }(f^1)^{}`$ to reduce the case of $``$ to the case of $``$. ∎

(c): We prove that $`𝒰`$ is finer than $``$.

Let $`\gamma =\{U_\alpha :\alpha A\}`$ be a finite clopen partition of $`X`$. Put $`V_\gamma =\{fG:f(U_\alpha )=U_\alpha \text{ for every }\alpha A\}`$. The open subgroups of the form $`V_\gamma `$ constitute a base at unity of $`G`$. We must show that if $`f,gG`$ are close enough in $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$, then $`fV_\gamma gV_\gamma `$.

The set of all pairs $`(R,S)\mathrm{\Theta }^2`$ such that $`M(\gamma ,R)=M(\gamma ,S)`$ is a neighbourhood of the diagonal in $`\mathrm{\Theta }^2`$ and therefore an entourage for the unique compatible uniformity on $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$. It suffices to prove that for every $`f,gG`$ the condition $`M(\gamma ,f)=M(\gamma ,g)`$ implies that $`fV_\gamma gV_\gamma `$. Suppose that $`M(\gamma ,f)=M(\gamma ,g)=r`$. The following conditions are equivalent for every $`\alpha ,\beta A`$: (1) $`f(U_\alpha )U_\beta \mathrm{}`$; (2) $`g(U_\alpha )U_\beta \mathrm{}`$; (3) $`(\alpha ,\beta )r`$. Pick $`uG`$ such that $`u(f(U_\alpha )U_\beta )=g(U_\alpha )U_\beta `$ for every $`(\alpha ,\beta )r`$. Such a self-homeomorphism $`u`$ of $`X`$ exists, since all non-empty clopen subsets of $`X`$ are homeomorphic. Since for a fixed $`\beta A`$ the sets $`f(U_\alpha )U_\beta `$ cover $`U_\beta `$, we have $`u(U_\beta )=U_\beta `$. Thus $`uV_\gamma `$. It follows that $`uf(U_\alpha )U_\beta =u(f(U_\alpha )U_\beta )=g(U_\alpha )U_\beta `$ for all $`\alpha ,\beta A`$ and hence $`uf(U_\alpha )=g(U_\alpha )`$ for every $`\alpha A`$. Put $`v=g^1uf`$. Since $`uf(U_\alpha )=g(U_\alpha )`$, we have $`v(U_\alpha )=U_\alpha `$ for every $`\alpha A`$. Thus $`vV_\gamma `$ and $`f=u^1gvV_\gamma gV_\gamma `$. ∎

## § 3. Continuity-like properties of composition

We preserve all the notation of the previous section. In particular, $`X`$ is an $`h`$-homogeneous compact space, $`G=\mathrm{Aut}(X)`$, $`\mathrm{\Theta }=E_0(X)`$.

Recall that is a non-empty collection $``$ of non-empty subsets of a set $`Y`$ is a filter base on $`Y`$ if for every $`A,B`$ there is $`C`$ such that $`CAB`$. If $`Y`$ is a topological space, $``$ is a filter base on $`Y`$ and $`xY`$, then $`x`$ is a cluster point of $``$ if every neighbourhood of $`x`$ meets every member of $``$, and $``$ converges to $`x`$ if every neighbourhood of $`x`$ contains a member of $``$. If $``$ and $`𝒢`$ are two filter bases on $`G`$, let $`𝒢=\{AB:A,B𝒢\}`$.

For every $`R\mathrm{\Theta }`$ let $`_R=\{GV:V\text{ is a neighbourhood of }R\text{ in }\mathrm{\Theta }\}`$. In other words, $`_R`$ is the trace on $`G`$ of the filter of neighbourhoods of $`R`$ in $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$. We have noted that the multiplication on $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$ is not continuous. If $`R,S\mathrm{\Theta }`$, it is not true in general that $`_R_S`$ converges to $`RS`$. However, $`RS`$ is a cluster point of $`_R_S`$. This fact will be used in the next section.

###### \No{cluster}. Proposition

If $`R,S\mathrm{\Theta }`$, then $`RS`$ is a cluster point of the filter base $`_R_S`$.

We need some lemmas. First we note that for any compact space $`K`$ the composition of relations is upper-semicontinuous on $`E(K)`$ in the following sense:

###### \No{lemupper}. Lemma

Let $`K`$ be a compact space, $`R,SE(K)`$. Let $`O`$ be an open set in $`K^2`$ such that $`RSO`$. Then there exist open sets $`V_1,V_2`$ in $`K^2`$ such that $`RV_1`$, $`SV_2`$, and for every $`R^{},S^{}E(K)`$ such that $`R^{}V_1`$, $`S^{}V_2`$ we have $`R^{}S^{}O`$.

###### Demonstration Proof

Consider the following three closed sets in $`K^3`$: $`F_1=\{(x,z,y):(z,y)R\}`$, $`F_2=\{(x,z,y):(x,z)S\}`$, $`F_3=\{(x,z,y):(x,y)O\}`$. The intersection of these three sets is empty. There exist neighbourhoods of these sets with empty intersection. We may assume that the neighbourhoods of $`F_1`$ and $`F_2`$ are of the form $`\{(x,z,y):(z,y)V_1\}`$ and $`\{(x,z,y):(x,z)V_2\}`$, respectively, where $`V_1`$ and $`V_2`$ are open in $`K^2`$. The sets $`V_1`$ and $`V_2`$ are as required. ∎

###### \No{lemcomp}. Lemma

Let $`\gamma =\{U_\alpha :\alpha A\}`$ be a finite clopen partition of $`X`$. For every $`R,S\mathrm{\Theta }`$ we have $`M(\gamma ,RS)M(\gamma ,R)M(\gamma ,S)`$ (the product on the right means the composition of relations on $`A`$).

###### Demonstration Proof

Let $`(\alpha ,\beta )M(\gamma ,RS)`$. Then $`RS`$ meets the rectangle $`U_\alpha \times U_\beta `$. Pick $`(x,y)RS(U_\alpha \times U_\beta )`$. There exists $`zX`$ such that $`(x,z)S`$ and $`(z,y)R`$. Pick $`\delta A`$ such that $`zU_\delta `$. Then $`(x,z)S(U_\alpha \times U_\delta )`$, $`(z,y)R(U_\delta \times U_\beta )`$, hence $`(\alpha ,\delta )M(\gamma ,S)`$ and $`(\delta ,\beta )M(\gamma ,R)`$. It follows that $`(\alpha ,\beta )M(\gamma ,R)M(\gamma ,S)`$. ∎

###### \No{lemappr}. Lemma

Let $`\lambda =\{U_\alpha :\alpha A\}`$ be a finite clopen partition of $`X`$, and let $`r,sE_0(A)`$. There exist $`f,gG`$ such that $`M(\lambda ,f)=r`$, $`M(\lambda ,g)`$=s and $`M(\lambda ,fg)=rs`$.

###### Demonstration Proof

We modify the proof of Theorem . For every $`\gamma A`$ take a clopen partition $`\{V_{\alpha ,\gamma ,\beta }:(\alpha ,\gamma )s,(\gamma ,\beta )r\}`$ of $`U_\gamma `$. For every $`(\gamma ,\beta )r`$ put $`W_{\gamma ,\beta }=\{V_{\alpha ,\gamma ,\beta }:(\alpha ,\gamma )s\}`$. For every $`(\alpha ,\gamma )s`$ put $`Y_{\alpha ,\gamma }^{}=\{V_{\alpha ,\gamma ,\beta }:(\gamma ,\beta )r\}`$. Take a clopen partition $`\{W_{\gamma ,\beta }^{}:(\gamma ,\beta )r\}`$ of $`X`$ such that for every $`\beta A`$ we have $`U_\beta =\{W_{\gamma ,\beta }^{}:(\gamma ,\beta )r\}`$. Take a clopen partition $`\{Y_{\alpha ,\gamma }:(\alpha ,\gamma )s\}`$ of $`X`$ such that for every $`\alpha A`$ we have $`U_\alpha =\{Y_{\alpha ,\gamma }:(\alpha ,\gamma )s\}`$. There exist $`fG`$ such that $`f(W_{\gamma ,\beta })=W_{\gamma ,\beta }^{}`$ for every $`(\gamma ,\beta )r`$. There exists $`gG`$ such that $`g(Y_{\alpha ,\gamma })=Y_{\alpha ,\gamma }^{}`$ for every $`(\alpha ,\gamma )s`$. The graph of $`f`$ meets every rectangle $`W_{\gamma ,\beta }\times W_{\gamma ,\beta }^{}`$, $`(\gamma ,\beta )r`$, and is contained in the union of such rectangles. Since $`W_{\gamma ,\beta }\times W_{\gamma ,\beta }^{}U_\gamma \times U_\beta `$, it follows that $`M(\lambda ,f)=r`$. Similarly, $`M(\lambda ,g)=s`$. We claim that $`M(\lambda ,fg)=rs`$. Let $`(\alpha ,\beta )rs`$. There exists $`\gamma A`$ such that $`(\alpha ,\gamma )s`$ and $`(\gamma ,\beta )r`$. We have $`g(U_\alpha )g(Y_{\alpha ,\gamma })=Y_{\alpha ,\gamma }^{}V_{\alpha ,\gamma ,\beta }`$ and $`f^1(U_\beta )f^1(W_{\gamma ,\beta }^{})=W_{\gamma ,\beta }V_{\alpha ,\gamma ,\beta }`$. Thus $`V_{\alpha ,\gamma ,\beta }g(U_\alpha )f^1(U_\beta )\mathrm{}`$. It follows that the graph of $`fg`$ meets the rectangle $`U_\alpha \times U_\beta `$. This means that $`(a,\beta )M(\lambda ,fg)`$. We have proved that $`rsM(\lambda ,fg)`$. The reverse inclusion follows from Lemma . ∎

###### Demonstration Proof of Proposition

Let $`U_1`$, $`U_2`$, $`U_3`$ be neighbourhoods in $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$ of $`R`$, $`S`$ and $`RS`$, respectively. We must show that $`U_3`$ meets the set $`(U_1G)(U_2G)`$.

Fix a clopen partition $`\lambda `$ of $`X`$ such that $`O_\lambda (RS)U_3`$. Lemma implies that there exists a clopen partition $`\gamma `$ of $`X`$ such that for every $`R^{}O_\gamma (R)`$ and $`S^{}O_\gamma (S)`$ we have $`R^{}S^{}𝒱(\lambda ,RS)`$ (recall that $`𝒱(\lambda ,RS)`$ is the family of all $`\lambda `$-rectangles that meet $`RS`$). We may assume that $`\gamma `$ refines $`\lambda `$ and that $`O_\gamma (R)U_1`$, $`O_\gamma (S)U_2`$. Put $`r=M(\gamma ,R)`$, $`s=M(\gamma ,S)`$. According to Lemma , there exist $`f,gG`$ such that $`M(\gamma ,f)=r`$, $`M(\gamma ,g)=s`$ and $`M(\gamma ,fg)=rs`$. Then $`fGO_\gamma (R)`$ and $`gGO_\gamma (S)`$. Lemma implies that $`M(\gamma ,RS)rs=M(\gamma ,fg)`$. This means that (the graph of) $`fg`$ meets every member of the family $`𝒱(\gamma ,RS)`$. Then every member of $`𝒱(\lambda ,RS)`$ meets $`fg`$, since every member of $`𝒱(\lambda ,RS)`$ contains a member of $`𝒱(\gamma ,RS)`$. On the other hand, by the choice of $`\gamma `$ we have $`fg𝒱(\lambda ,RS)`$. It follows that $`M(\lambda ,fg)=M(\lambda ,RS)`$. Thus $`fgO_\lambda (RS)U_3`$ and hence $`fg(U_1G)(U_2G)U_3\mathrm{}`$. ∎

## § 4. Proof of Main Theorem, part 2

Let $`X`$, as before, be a compact $`h`$-homogeneous space, $`G=\mathrm{Aut}(X)`$, $`\mathrm{\Theta }=E_0(X)`$. We saw that $`G`$ is Roelcke-precompact and that $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$ can be identified with the Roelcke compactification of $`G`$. In this section we prove that $`G`$ is minimal and topologically simple.

If $`H`$ is a group and $`gH`$, we denote by $`l_g`$ (respectively, $`r_g`$) the left shift of $`H`$ defined by $`l_g(h)=gh`$ (respectively, the right shift defined by $`r_g(h)=hg`$).

###### \No{shiftroel}. Proposition

Let $`H`$ be a topological group, and let $`K`$ be the Roelcke completion of $`H`$. Let $`gH`$. Each of the following self-maps of $`H`$ extends to a self-homeomorphism of $`K`$: (1) the left shift $`l_g`$; (2) the right shift $`r_g`$; (3) the inversion $`gg^1`$.

###### Demonstration Proof

Let $``$ and $``$ be the left and the right uniformity on $`H`$, respectively. In each of the cases (1)–(3) the map $`f:HH`$ under consideration is an automorphism of the uniform space $`(H,)`$. This is obvious for the case (3). For the cases (1) and (2), observe that the uniformities $``$ and $``$ are invariant under left and right shifts, hence the same is true for their greatest lower bound $``$. It follows that in all cases $`f`$ extends to an automorphism of the completion $`K`$ of the uniform space $`(H,)`$. ∎

For $`gG`$ define self-maps $`L_g:\mathrm{\Theta }\mathrm{\Theta }`$ and $`R_g:\mathrm{\Theta }\mathrm{\Theta }`$ by $`L_g(R)=gR`$ and $`R_g(R)=Rg`$.

###### \No{contshift}. Proposition

For every $`gG`$ the maps $`L_g:\mathrm{\Theta }\mathrm{\Theta }`$ and $`R_g:\mathrm{\Theta }\mathrm{\Theta }`$ are continuous.

###### Demonstration Proof

We have $`gR=\{(x,g(y)):(x,y)R\}`$. Let $`\lambda =\{U_\alpha :\alpha A\}`$ be a clopen partition of $`X`$. Let $`r=M(\lambda ,gR)`$, and let $`O_\lambda (gR)=\{S\mathrm{\Theta }:M(\lambda ,S)=r\}`$ be a basic neighbourhood of $`gR`$. Let $`U`$ be the set of all $`T\mathrm{\Theta }`$ such that $`T`$ meets every member of the family $`\{U_\alpha \times g^1(U_\beta ):(\alpha ,\beta )r\}`$ and is contained in the union of this family. Then $`U`$ is a neighbourhood of $`R`$ and $`L_g(U)=O_\lambda (gR)`$. Thus $`L_g`$ is continuous. The argument for $`R_g`$ is similar. ∎

Let $`\mathrm{\Delta }`$ be the diagonal in $`X^2`$.

###### \No{maximidem}. Proposition

Let $`S`$ be a closed subsemigroup of $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$, and let $`T`$ be the set of all $`pS`$ such that $`p\mathrm{\Delta }`$. If $`T\mathrm{}`$, then $`T`$ has a greatest element $`p`$, and $`p`$ is an idempotent.

###### Demonstration Proof

We claim that every non-empty closed subset of $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$ has a maximal element. Indeed, if $`C`$ is a non-empty linearly ordered subset of $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$, then $`C`$ has a least upper bound $`b=\overline{C}`$ in $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$, and $`b`$ belongs to the closure of $`C`$ in $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$. Thus our claim follows from Zorn’s lemma.

The set $`T`$ is a closed subsemigroup of $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$. Let $`p`$ be a maximal element of $`T`$. For every $`qT`$ we have $`pqp\mathrm{\Delta }=p`$, whence $`pq=p`$. It follows that $`p`$ is an idempotent and that $`p=pq\mathrm{\Delta }q=q`$. Thus $`p`$ is the greatest element of $`T`$. ∎

An inner automorphism of $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$ is a map of the form $`pgpg^1`$, $`gG`$.

###### \No{innidemp}. Proposition

There are precisely two elements in $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$ which are invariant under all inner automorphisms of $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$, namely $`\mathrm{\Delta }`$ and $`X^2`$.

###### Demonstration Proof

A relation $`R\mathrm{\Theta }`$ is invariant under all inner automorphisms if and only if the following holds: if $`x,yX`$ and $`(x,y)R`$, then $`(f(x),f(y))R`$ for every $`fG`$. Suppose that $`R\mathrm{\Theta }`$ has this property and $`\mathrm{\Delta }R`$. Pick $`(x,y)R`$ such that $`xy`$. We claim that the set $`B=\{(f(x),f(y)):fG\}`$ is dense in $`X^2`$. Indeed, pick disjoint clopen neighbourhoods $`U_1`$ and $`U_2`$ of $`x`$ and $`y`$, respectively, such that $`X`$ is not covered by $`U_1`$ and $`U_2`$. Given disjoint clopen non-empty sets $`V_1`$ and $`V_2`$, by $`h`$-homogeneity of $`X`$ we can find an $`fG`$ such that $`f(U_i)V_i`$, $`i=1,2`$. It follows that $`V_1\times V_2`$ meets $`B`$, hence $`B`$ is dense in $`X^2`$. Since $`BR`$, it follows that $`R=X^2`$. ∎

###### \No{compnorm}. Proposition

The group $`G`$ has no compact normal subgroups other than $`\{1\}`$.

We shall prove later that actually $`G`$ has no non-trivial closed normal subgroups.

###### Demonstration Proof

Let $`H\{1\}`$ be a normal subgroup of $`G`$. We show that $`H`$ is not compact.

Let $`Y`$ be the collection of all non-empty clopen sets in $`X`$. Consider $`Y`$ as a discrete topological space. The group $`G`$ has a natural continuous action on $`Y`$. Pick $`fH`$, $`f1`$. Pick $`UY`$ such that $`f(U)U=\mathrm{}`$ and $`X(f(U)U)\mathrm{}`$. Let $`Y_1`$ be the set of all $`VY`$ such that $`V`$ is a proper subset of $`XU`$. If $`VY_1`$, there exists $`hG`$ such that $`h(U)=U`$ and $`h(f(U))=V`$. Put $`g=hfh^1`$. Then $`g(U)=V`$. Since $`H`$ is a normal subgroup of $`G`$, we have $`gH`$. It follows that the $`H`$-orbit of $`U`$ contains $`Y_1`$. Since $`Y_1`$ is infinite, $`H`$ cannot be compact. ∎

###### \No{simplemin}. Proposition

For every topological group $`H`$ the following conditions are equivalent:

We are now ready to prove Theorem , part (2):

For every compact $`h`$-homogeneous space $`X`$ the topological group $`G=\mathrm{Aut}(X)`$ is minimal and topologically simple.

###### Demonstration Proof

Let $`f:GG^{}`$ be a continuous onto homomorphism. According to Proposition , we must prove that either $`f`$ is a homeomorphism or $`|G^{}|=1`$.

Since $`G`$ is Roelcke-precompact, so is $`G^{}`$. Let $`\mathrm{\Theta }^{}`$ be the Roelcke compactification of $`G^{}`$. The homomorphism $`f`$ extends to a continuous map $`F:\mathrm{\Theta }\mathrm{\Theta }^{}`$. Let $`e^{}`$ be the unity of $`G^{}`$, and let $`S=F^1(e^{})\mathrm{\Theta }`$.

Claim 1. $`S`$ is a subsemigroup of $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$.

Let $`p,qS`$. In virtue of Proposition , there exist filter bases $`_p`$ and $`_q`$ on $`G`$ such that $`_p`$ converges to $`p`$ (in $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$), $`_q`$ converges to $`q`$ and $`pq`$ is a cluster point of the filter base $`_p_q`$. The filter bases $`_p^{}=F(_p)`$ and $`_q^{}=F(_q)`$ on $`G^{}`$ converge to $`F(p)=F(q)=e^{}`$, hence the same is true for the filter base $`_p^{}_q^{}=F(_p_q)`$. Since $`pq`$ is a cluster point of $`_p_q`$, $`F(pq)`$ is a cluster point of the convergent filter base $`F(_p_q)`$. A convergent filter on a Hausdorff space has only one cluster point, namely the limit. Thus $`F(pq)=e^{}`$ and hence $`pqS`$.

Claim 2. The semigroup $`S`$ is closed under involution.

In virtue of Proposition , the inversion on $`G^{}`$ extends to an involution $`xx^{}`$ of $`\mathrm{\Theta }^{}`$. Since $`F(p^{})=F(p)^{}`$ for every $`pG`$, the same holds for every $`p\mathrm{\Theta }`$. Let $`pS`$. Then $`F(p^{})=F(p)^{}=e^{}`$ and hence $`p^{}S`$.

Claim 3. If $`gG`$ and $`g^{}=f(g)`$, then $`F^1(g^{})=gS=Sg`$.

We saw that the left shift $`hgh`$ of $`G`$ extends to a continuous self-map $`L=L_g`$ of $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$ defined by $`L(p)=gp`$ (Proposition ). According to Proposition , the self-map $`xg^{}x`$ of $`G^{}`$ extends to self-homeomorphism $`L^{}`$ of $`\mathrm{\Theta }^{}`$. The maps $`FL`$ and $`L^{}F`$ from $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$ to $`\mathrm{\Theta }^{}`$ coincide on $`G`$ and hence everywhere. Replacing $`g`$ by $`g^1`$, we see that $`FL^1=(L^{})^1F`$. Thus $`F^1(g^{})=F^1L^{}(e^{})=LF^1(e^{})=gS`$. Using right shifts instead of left shifts, we similarly conclude that $`F^1(g^{})=Sg`$.

Claim 4. $`S`$ is invariant under inner automorphisms of $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$.

We have just seen that $`gS=Sg`$ for every $`gG`$, hence $`gSg^1=S`$.

Let $`T=\{rS:r\mathrm{\Delta }\}`$. According to Proposition , there is a greatest element $`p`$ in $`T`$. Claim 4 implies that $`p`$ is invariant under inner automorphisms. In virtue of Proposition , either $`p=\mathrm{\Delta }`$ or $`p=X^2`$. We shall show that either $`f`$ is a homeomorphism or $`|G^{}|=1`$, according to which of the cases $`p=\mathrm{\Delta }`$ or $`p=X^2`$ holds.

First assume that $`p=\mathrm{\Delta }`$.

Claim 5 ($`p=\mathrm{\Delta }`$). All elements of $`S`$ are invertible in $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$.

Let $`rS`$. Then $`r^{}rS`$ and $`rr^{}S`$, since $`S`$ is a symmetrical semigroup. Since $`\mathrm{Dom}r=\mathrm{Ran}r=X`$, we have $`r^{}r\mathrm{\Delta }`$ and $`rr^{}\mathrm{\Delta }`$. The assumption $`p=\mathrm{\Delta }`$ implies that every relation $`sS`$ such that $`s\mathrm{\Delta }`$ must be equal to $`\mathrm{\Delta }`$. Thus $`rr^{}=r^{}r=\mathrm{\Delta }`$ and $`r`$ is invertible.

Claim 6 ($`p=\mathrm{\Delta }`$). $`|S|=1`$.

Claim 5 implies that $`S`$ is a subgroup of $`G`$. This subgroup is normal (Claim 4) and compact, since $`S`$ is closed in $`\mathrm{\Theta }`$. Proposition implies that $`|S|=1`$.

Claim 7 ($`p=\mathrm{\Delta }`$). $`f:GG^{}`$ is a homeomorphism.

Claims 6 and 3 imply that $`G=F^1(G^{})`$ and that the map $`f:GG^{}`$ is bijective. Since $`F`$ is a map between compact spaces, it is perfect, and hence so is the map $`f:G=F^1(G^{})G^{}`$. Thus $`f`$, being a perfect bijection, is a homeomorphism.

Now consider the case $`p=X^2`$.

Claim 8. If $`p=X^2S`$, then $`G^{}=\{e^{}\}`$.

Let $`gG`$ and $`g^{}=f(g)`$. We have $`gp=pS`$. On the other hand, Claim 3 implies that $`gpgS=F^1(g^{})`$. Thus $`g^{}=F(gp)=F(p)=e^{}`$. ∎

## § 5. Remarks

The group $`\mathrm{Aut}(K)`$ is Roelcke-precompact also for some compact spaces $`K`$ which are not zero-dimensional. For example, let $`I=[0,1]`$ and $`G=\mathrm{Aut}(I)`$. Identify $`G`$ with a subspace of $`E(I)`$, as above. The Roelcke compactification of $`G`$ can be identified with the closure of $`G`$ in $`E(I)`$. Let $`G_0`$ be the subgroup of all $`fG`$ which leave the end-points of the interval $`I`$ fixed. The closure of $`G_0`$ in $`E(I)`$ is the set of all curves $`c`$ in the square $`I^2`$ such that $`c`$ connects the points $`(0,0)`$ and $`(1,1)`$ and has the following property: there are no points $`(x,y)c`$ and $`(x^{},y^{})c`$ such that $`x<x^{}`$ and $`y>y^{}`$. This can be used to yield an alternative proof of D. Gamarnik’s theorem saying that $`G`$ is minimal .

Let $`K=I^\omega `$ be the Hilbert cube and $`G=\mathrm{Aut}(K)`$. I do not know if $`G`$ is minimal or Roelcke-precompact in this case.


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# A TiO study of the black-hole binary GRO J0422+32 in a very low state

## 1 Introduction

From the study of X-ray transient systems, it is possible to determine the masses of stellar-mass black-holes, by observing the cool secondary star during quiescence (see e.g. Charles, 1999). In this paper we present new observations of the late-type secondary star in the soft X-ray transient GRO J0422+32 (Nova Per 1992/ V518 Per). Since the discovery of J0422+32 on August 5th 1992, whilst in outburst, by the ‘Compton Gamma Ray Observatory’ (Paciesas et al, 1992), there have been three subsequent ‘mini’ outbursts: December 1992 (Harmon, Fishman & Paciesas, 1992), August 1993 (Filipenko & Matheson, 1993) and December-January 1993/4 (Zhao et al, 1993). The system has been observed at I=20.03 \[Orosz & Bailyn 1995\] and I=20.22 \[Casares et al 1995\], but never, as we show in this paper, in absolute quiescence. Therefore, observations in the optical have been dominated by the flux emitted from the accretion disc around the compact object, making observations of the M-star difficult. Here we present results showing that J0422+32 was fainter still in December 1997, thus observations of the secondary were more accessible, due to less contamination from the disc.

Previously, Beekman et al (1997) have determined a minimum mass of the compact object (black hole) of 15M, from an I band light-curve. From calculations by King, Kolb & Burderi (1996) based on the ‘disc instability model’, where the mass transfer rate must be below a critical level in order for low mass X-ray binary systems to become transient, a minimum mass of the compact object can be calculated. If their assumptions are correct, Beekman et al (1997) calculated a minimum mass of the compact object of 28M. This mass is impossibly large for stellar evolution models. From studying the ellipsoidal modulation alone, we constrain the black-hole to have a much lower minimum mass, which is consistent with the evolution of massive stars that form black holes.

We present a new method for conducting a radial velocity study in such systems with a late-type secondary star. Previously, the strong TiO features seen in M-stars have not been used, as it is very difficult to correct accurately for the telluric absorption that lies on top of them. Instead, the Na I doublet at 8183, 8195Å is commonly used. However, by placing two stars along the slit, J0422+32 and a local early-type star, we can correct for the telluric absorption very accurately. It was also thought that the TiO bands were far too broad to allow accurate cross correlation. The bands themselves are broad, but have within them, very sharp features. In this work we show, using the two TiO bands at 7055Å and 7589Å, how effective cross-correlating these regions can be. We also exploit the good telluric absorption correction to determine the spectral type of the M-star accurately, through measuring the depths of these two TiO bands.

A 5.1 hour period, assumed to be the orbital period, has been observed in most earlier data sets (e.g. Chevalier & Ilovaisky, 1994; Casares et al, 1995; Garcia et al, 1996). Earlier still, values close to 5.1 hours were observed as the system declined from the initial outburst (e.g. Chevalier & Ilovaisky, 1992; Kato, Mineshige & Hirata, 1992). This period has not been observed in other datasets, e.g. Shrader et al (1994) and Martin et al (1995). We have used our data to refine the orbital period and to determine a new ephemeris.

## 2 Observations

Three nights of simultaneous spectroscopy and photometry were taken on 1997 December 1-3. However, most of the third night was lost to bad weather and time was also lost in the preceding two nights due to technical problems. The photometry was taken with the 2.5m Isaac Newton Telescope (INT), using a Johnson I band filter. Exposures of 600 seconds were recorded on the ‘Wide Field Camera’. The observations were taken with J0422+32 at 6 different positions on the chip, so that fringing effects could be corrected later.

The spectroscopy was taken using the 4.2m William Herschel Telescope (WHT) and the ISIS double beam spectrograph at Cassegrain focus. We used a slit width of 1 arc-second. Again integration times of 600 seconds were used, so that the orbital smearing was less than the resolution of the data. On the red arm, the 1124x1124 pixel TEK2 CCD camera gave a dispersion of 2.7Å/pixel and a resolution of about 5.4Å. Copper-neon arc spectra were taken for wavelength calibration. On the blue arm the EEV10 2148$`\times `$4200 CCD camera was employed, giving a dispersion of 0.96Å/pixel and a resolution of about 3.4Å, with a useful wavelength range of $``$3000-6000Å. Flat-fields were taken after every image to overcome fringing problems. A second star was also placed accurately on the slit to correct for telluric absorption lines appearing in the spectra of J0422+32.

To ensure that the spectroscopy and photometry were simultaneous, observations were made every fifteen minutes, on the quarter hour. The extra five minutes gave enough time at both telescopes for the chips to be read out and at the WHT, for arc spectra and tungsten flats to be taken and for the pointing of the INT to be changed slightly.

## 3 Data reduction

### 3.1 Spectroscopy

A bias frame was subtracted from each flat-field and target frame. Each flat-field frame taken closest in time and at roughly the same hour angle and declination was used to correct the corresponding spectrum of J0422+32. To create the flat-field, a polynomial was fitted to each flat-field, by which it was then divided. To extract the spectra, an optimal extraction algorithm \[Horne 1986\] was used.

The spectra were wavelength calibrated using the arc spectra taken at the same position as the object frame. The J0422+32 spectrum was then divided by the other star on the slit to remove atmospheric bands. The second star on the slit was determined to be a late F-star from the blue spectrum, primarily from the 4000Å break and the calcium H and K lines. No further analysis was made of the blue spectra, as the data were far too noisy. The red arm spectrum in the region of interest was intrinsically featureless. In total there were 53 good red arm spectra, each with a signal-to-noise of about 3 per pixel. The second star on the slit was approximately 6 times brighter than J0422+32, hence there was no degradation in signal-to-noise due to dividing by the F-star.

### 3.2 Photometry

A median stacked bias frame was subtracted from each frame. However, the frames had to be flat-fielded in a similar manner to infrared data, due to a severe fringing pattern on the CCD. This was done by using sets of six image frames, taken offset from each other, removing one (hereafter the ‘single’ frame) and leaving five from which a median stack was made. The modal value of the median stack was scaled to be the same as that of the single frame and then the scaled median stack was subtracted from the single frame of the set. In this way, the fringing pattern on the single frame was removed (e.g. Beekman et al, 1997). The frames were not flat-fielded, as the flat-fielded frames were $``$30% noisier, pixel-to-pixel, than the unflat-fielded frames.

The raw, sky-subtracted counts were obtained for each star using an optimal extraction technique \[Naylor 1998\]. A nearby star was used to define a point spread function and this PSF was then used to calculate a weight map for each pixel of J0422+32 and other stars in the frame. A weight map clipping radius of almost double the FWHM seeing was used to recover between 95 and 99 percent of the available signal to noise. The other star that was taken on the slit during the spectroscopy was identified from the position angle of the slit on the sky and then J0422+32 was divided by this to remove sky transparency variations.

The standard stars PG1047 and its associated companions \[Landolt 1992\] were also observed during the run. These were reduced in the same manner as the target and the zero-point from each star was calculated. A mean was made of the four zero-points, to find the approximate zero-point for the CCD. Using this value, the approximate I-band magnitude for J0422+32 of I$``$20.4 was calculated, using a frame with a similar airmass to that of the standard star frame. This was further refined, as described in Section 4.2.1.

## 4 Data Analysis

### 4.1 Spectroscopy

To derive a radial velocity curve, various sections of the spectra were cross correlated against each other. To do this we used the cross-correlation technique outlined in Tonry and Davis (1979), to produce a cross-correlation function (CCF). A quadratic was fitted through the CCF peak so as to determine the maximum point, corresponding to the radial velocity shift for that spectrum. Initially we cross-correlated individual spectra against each other to determine the radial velocity variation and to check the period. We cross-correlated the region across the TiO band at 7055Å and the Ca II region between 8450 and 8750Å, the latter of which has been used previously e.g. Casares et al (1995). A period search was performed using a Fourier transform routine. From this and the ‘cleaned spectrum’, we found no significant periods, including the orbital period.

The 53 spectra were then binned into 8 phase bins, using the same ephemeris as Beekman et al (1997), derived from the extensive photometry of Chevalier & Ilovaisky (1996) and spectroscopy of Filipenko, Matheson & Ho (1995).

#### 4.1.1 Radial velocities from TiO

Each spectrum then had a signal-to-noise of about 7/pixel and was cross-correlated with the weighted mean of the other spectra (that had been shifted to rest using a semi-amplitude of 375km s-1 (mid-point of generally accepted semi-amplitudes) and the T of Beekman et al, 1997, where T is the first inferior conjunction of the late-type star for the dataset). The regions 7000-7500Å and 7500-8000Å were used to cross-correlate the two strongest TiO bands. Using the new T and semi-amplitude obtained from the radial velocity curve (e.g. Fig. 2), we repeated the above method until the change in T between successive calculations was negligible. This gave us a T=2450783.6463$`\pm `$0.0004 (from the beginning of our dataset), a change of 0.013 in orbital phase (0.003 days) and a new radial velocity of 378$`\pm `$16 km s-1. From shifting on this new T, the steps in the TiO bands and the potassium lines are sharper, indicating that this T is more accurate. The 1$`\sigma `$ error in the semi-amplitude was calculated by creating radial velocity errors (weighted according to the number of spectra in each phase bin) to produce a $`\chi _\nu ^2`$ of 1111We also tried cross-correlating each phase bin against other M star spectra (see Sec. 5.4), but the results were not as accurate.. Fig. 1 shows the 8 phase-binned spectra and the CCF resulting from cross-correlating the region 7000-7500Å with the weighted mean spectrum of the remaining spectra. The peak of the CCF can clearly be picked out from all but one phase and the orbital motion of the system can be seen.

To compare our accuracy with previous results, we rescaled the error bars of Harlaftis et al (1999), so that a fit to their radial velocity curve also gave a $`\chi _\nu ^2`$=1. We obtained a radial velocity of 378$`\pm `$15 km s-1, from their data. The 4% error on our radial velocity is comparable to that obtained with 20% more observing time and using a 10m telescope (Harlaftis et al, 1999). Thus we have shown that using TiO bands for radial velocity studies can be a very powerful tool.

#### 4.1.2 The new ephemeris

From the new T, we re-determined the orbital period, using our data and that of Chevalier & Ilovaisky (1996), Filipenko, Matheson & Ho (1995), Harlaftis et al (1999) and Casares et al (1995), so as to extend the base line. Each T was adjusted to the phase convention used here in equation 1. A period of 0.2121600$`\pm `$0.0000002d was found to fit all the data, with a T of 2450274.4156$`\pm `$0.0009. This gives a new ephemeris of,

$$HJD=2450274.4156(9)+0.2121600(2)\times E$$
(1)
where HJD is the Heliocentric Julian Date and E the cycle number. Phase zero for this ephemeris is taken to be the inferior conjunction of the late-type star.

### 4.2 Photometry

#### 4.2.1 How bright is J0422+32?

From our initial estimate of the magnitude of J0422+32, it appeared that J0422+32 had become considerably fainter over the 3 years since it was last observed. Previously, J0422+32 was found to be $``$0.14 magnitudes brighter when observed by Casares et al \[Casares et al 1995\] in December 1994 and I$``$0.33 magnitudes brighter when observed by Orosz & Bailyn \[Orosz & Bailyn 1995\] in October 1994. To verify this, we used the following method.

The Casares et al \[Casares et al 1995\] observation is the lowest published value to date. We reanalysed the Casares et al \[Casares et al 1995\] data by obtaining the frames taken at the JKT in December 1994 from the RGO Astronomy Data Centre. These we reduced in the same manner as the J0422+32 photometry that we obtained in December 1997 from the INT, although a simple flat-fielding technique was used, as there was no fringing effect on these CCD frames. Photometry was carried out on the 1994 data of J0422+32 and 7 stars in the neighbourhood and on the same stars in the 1997 data. Both the frames used were from a similar phase ($`\varphi `$0.67). In each case, J0422+32 was divided by each of the other 7 stars in the frame and the relative counts compared from the two years. The 1997 data was found to be 22$`\pm `$3% fainter than the 1994 data of I=20.22$`\pm `$0.07 (where the 3% error is the standard deviation calculated from the ratio between the 1997 and 1994 data for each of the 7 stars). This indicates that we observed J0422+32 at an I magnitude of 20.44$`\pm `$0.08. This is the lowest state that J0422+32 has been observed to date, which indicates that in 1994, it had not yet reached its quiescent value, following the outburst and subsequent mini-outbursts.

#### 4.2.2 Orbital modulation

To search for periodicities in the photometry, a Fourier transform routine was used. From the power spectrum, we found no significant evidence for the orbital period reported by others (e.g. Filippenko, Matheson & Ho, 1995), nor any other period.

However, as binning the spectroscopic data on the 5.1 hour period had been so successful, the data were then binned into the same 8 phase bins, of 0.125 of the orbital period. Each bin had a minimum of 5 points in it. The weighted mean relative flux was calculated and an average phase, for each bin. Plotting relative flux against phase, an ellipsoidal modulation, as seen by Beekman et al (1997), Chevalier & Ilovaisky (1996), Martin et al (1995) etc is therefore evident. However, we observe excess flux between phases $``$0.4-0.6, which may be due to the irradiation of the M star by the inner edge of the accretion disc (e.g. Shahbaz, 1994), although why the X-ray heating should increase during this low state, is unclear. From examining the database from the All-Sky Monitor on the X-ray Timing Explorer (XTE) for J0422+32 around this observation period, the X-ray activity was minimal. It is however possible, that since J0422+32 had declined from outburst in December 1997, the disc opening angle should also have decreased (see e.g. Webb et al, 1999). Therefore more X-rays from the inner parts of the disc would be able to impinge on the secondary star, and thus heat the surface between phases 0.4-0.6.

Our interest is to measure the maximum allowed amplitude in this light-curve, to constrain the inclination of this system (see Sec. 5.3). Clearly, a larger amplitude is possible if we ignore the ‘X-ray heated’ points. We therefore fitted the flux variation between phases $``$0.6-1.4. The maximum flux variation is 0.014. Taking into account that only 38% of the flux observed emanates from the M star (see Section 5.6), the maximum percentage flux variation is 16% from the secondary star alone.

## 5 Results and discussion

### 5.1 Flux Calibration

We plotted the relative flux from each spectroscopic observation against each simultaneous photometric observation, to compare the fluxes. This was done by summing the J0422+32 spectra over the range of the photometric pass-band (7250-9500Å) and dividing this by the sum of the comparison star over this same range and then plotting this against the photometric observations (Fig. 4). There is a large scatter about the best fit line to the spectroscopy verses photometry, showing that there are considerable differences in the light losses at the slit between the two stars. We therefore decided to correct for these slit losses, by multiplying each J0422+32 spectrum by the ratio between the photometry and the spectroscopy.

The second (local) star observed on the slit to be used as a comparison star, was flux calibrated using the flux standard SP 2209+178 (BD +17 4708), in the following way. The instrument response function derived from the flux standard was used to flux the weighted mean of the 53 spectra of the comparison star. The flux level was virtually insensitive to changes in the airmass. A smooth curve was fitted to the fluxed mean comparison star spectrum. The J0422+32 spectrum (divided by the comparison star) could then be fluxed by multiplying by this curve and remain corrected for telluric absorption. The J0422+32 fluxed spectrum was dereddened using an E(B-V)=0.3 (Harlaftis et al, 1999 and Beekman et al, 1997) and barycentric radial velocity corrected (Fig. 5).

### 5.2 Search for the ellipsoidal modulation

We searched for the ellipsoidal modulation of the secondary star in two ways. We measured flux deficits for each of the 8 phase bins, as described in Wade & Horne (1988), but the errors were large (25-100%). To get a higher signal-to-noise, varying proportions of the summed spectrum (Fig. 5) were subtracted from each of the 8 phase binned spectra. The region 7000-8100Å was used, as it contains two strong TiO bands, but no Ca lines. A line was fitted to the residuals and we used $`\chi ^2`$ to determine the best fitting proportion of the summed spectrum at each phase. This measure could also reveal ellipsoidal variation. Although the errors were smaller (10-20 percent), only a singly-humped lightcurve was seen rather than a double-humped curve. This is probably due to irradiation of the front face of the M star, where the hotter temperatures diminish the quantity of TiO.

### 5.3 Orbital parameters of J0422+32

Using the relationship between the amplitude of the ellipsoidal variation and the inclination of the system (Shahbaz 1994), we determined the maximum orbital inclination of J0422+32 to be 45, for the maximum amplitude obtained with the photometry (in which we can see evidence of ellipsoidal variation, see Sec. 4.2.2). Using the semi-amplitude obtained from our radial velocity study of 378$`\pm `$16 km s-1, we obtained a mass function of 1.191$`\pm `$0.021M. We used this new mass function, the $`v`$sin$`i`$ of 90$`{}_{27}{}^{}{}_{}{}^{+22}`$ km s-1 \[Harlaftis et al 1999\] and the inclination, to obtain a new q value of 9.0$`{}_{2.7}{}^{}{}_{}{}^{+2.2}`$, where q is the mass of the primary (compact object) divided by the secondary. From this we can constrain the mass of the primary to be greater than 2.2M. Although this is below 2.9M (the upper bound on the mass of a neutron star, Kalogera & Baym (1996)), it is well above the canonical value for a neutron star (1.44M) and would imply a super-massive neutron star if the compact object were as little as 2.2M. Further to that, from evidence in previous work, e.g. Sunyaev et al (1993), who show that J0422+32 has many of the same characteristics as seen in the other black hole candidate X-ray transients, J0422+32 must indeed contain a black hole.

### 5.4 The spectral type of the secondary star in J0422+32

The dereddened summed spectrum was normalised to unity at 7500Å. We measured the flux deficits across the two strongest TiO bands, namely those at 7055Å and 7589Å, as described in Wade & Horne (1988) and Section 5.2. Having continuum prior to the band at 7055Å, unlike Wade & Horne, we could fit the continuum across this first band between 6900-7000Å and 7450-7550Å. We also measured the drop between 7140 and 7190Å. Over the second band, we again used the same regions as Wade & Horne (1988); the continuum was fitted between 7450-7550Å and 8130-8170Å and the drop measured between 7640-7690Å. From this we obtain the ratio of dν($`\lambda `$7665)/dν($`\lambda `$7165) to be 0.91$`{}_{0.17}{}^{}{}_{}{}^{+0.25}`$. This implies that the secondary star in J0422+32 is an M4-5 star, using Wade & Horne’s table 3.

As this result gives a slightly later spectral type for the secondary star than Harlaftis et al (1999), M2$`{}_{1}{}^{}{}_{}{}^{+2}`$ or Casares et al (1995), M2$`\pm `$222NB: Martin et al (1995) propose that the secondary star is anything between an M0-5, we employed a second method in order to confirm the spectral type. Spectra of Gliese stars Gl 338A (M0 star), Gl 361 (M2), Gl 436 (M3) and Gl 402 (M5), were observed and reduced in the same manner as J0422+32. Although simultaneous spectrophotometry was not possible, a bright, rapidly rotating B star was observed at a similar airmass. By dividing the Gliese star spectrum by the B star, we corrected for telluric absorption. The Gliese stars were fluxed in the same manner as the J0422+32 spectrum (Section 5.1). These too were normalised to unity at 7500Å.

Varying proportions of the normalised Gliese stars were then subtracted from the normalised, dereddened spectrum of J0422+32. A quadratic was fitted to the residuals and the $`\chi _\nu ^2`$ of the fit to this quadratic was calculated as a measure of the goodness of fit. This also gives an indication of the proportion of the flux observed that emanates from the secondary star. From this, the best fitting spectrum to J0422+32 was spectral type M5. However, as we had failed to observe an M4 star, due to the onset of bad weather, we constructed a mean of the M3 and the M5 star to simulate a star that was approximately an M4. This gave as good a fit as the M5 star. Also, as the error on the reddening is possibly large, we carried out both experiments on the non-reddened spectrum to check that the uncertainty in the reddening correction had not affected our spectral typing. However, both the reddened and non-reddened spectra gave the same results. We therefore conclude that the secondary star in J0422+32 is M4-5. The reason for the discrepancy between our measurements and those of previous workers is probably their shortage of later type spectral standards. Both Harlaftis et al (1999) and Casares et al (1995) observed no stars later than M2, with the same apparatus used to observe J0422+32.

### 5.5 Comparison with previous mass determination

Previously Beekman et al (1997) used a method based on the disc instability model, following work done by King, Kolb & Burderi (1996), to determine the minimum mass of the compact object (revised version, Beekman 1999 and King & Kolb, 1999). The mass transfer rate must be below a critical level for a low mass X-ray binary system to become transient and therefore a minimum mass can be calculated. From this Beekman et al (1997) determined that the minimum mass of the compact object in J0422+32 was at least 32M. This was calculated using the mass and radius of a main-sequence M2 star, as in Gray (1992). However, the values for M stars are uncertain (Jones et al, 1994). Using values from Leggett et al (1996) and Jones et al (1994) for the M2 standard star Gl 411 and the revised calculations as given in Beekman (1999) and King & Kolb (1999), we obtain a much more reasonable minimum mass of the black-hole of 11.9M. However, we have shown that the spectral type of the secondary star is somewhat later than M2. For an M4.5 star (Gl 268), a star that is consistent with our spectral classification of M4-5, we calculate that the black hole mass must be greater than 0.75M. Although this seems considerably smaller than our minimum mass derived from the radial velocity curve, it should be noted that the revised minimum compact object masses in Beekman (1999) and King & Kolb (1999) are all considerably lower than the minimum masses calculated from the respective radial velocity curves. King & Kolb (1999) also describe a second method by which they determine the minimum mass of the compact object, from the spectral type and therefore the mass of the secondary star, for stars of spectral type K and earlier. However, as we have shown that the secondary star in J0422+32 is of spectral type M4-5, this method is not applicable to this system. We have therefore solved the problem of the black hole in J0422+32 having an impossibly large mass and also demonstrated that these equations support our radial velocity calculations.

### 5.6 Distance

We calculated that 38$`\pm `$2% (2$`\sigma `$ error) of the light emanates from the secondary star in the spectral range 6950-8400Å, by subtracting varying proportions of the normalised Gliese stars from the normalised spectrum of J0422+32 (Sec. 5.4). This implies that 62$`\pm `$2% of the observed flux originates from the accretion disc in this region. This is considerably more, although still consistent with Casares et al (1995), who estimated that the secondary is emitting 48$`\pm `$8% of the light in the spectral range 6700-7500Å.

From an E(B-V)=0.3 and Av/E(B-V) = 3.1 (Seaton, 1979 and Howarth, 1983), we obtain an Av of 0.93. The I band absolute magnitude of an M4 star, Gl 213 \[Kirkpatrick et al 1993\] is MI=9.86, and with only 38% of the flux coming from the secondary, it would have an I band magnitude of $``$21.50. Hence, we calculate that the distance to J0422+32 is 1.39$`\pm `$0.15 kpc. This is not only consistent with, but also far more accurate than other previous measurements of distance, e.g. Callanan et al (1995), who give a lower limit of 1kpc and a probable upper limit of 2kpc.

Using this value for the distance and the X-ray flux of 3.5$`\times `$10-8 ergs cm-2 s-1 (Harmon et al, 1992) in the 40-230 keV range during the main outburst, we calculate that the luminosity is somewhat lower than the Eddington luminosity (2.8$`\times `$1038 ergs s-1) at only 8$`\times `$1036 ergs s-1. There may, however, be considerable flux in other wavebands, for which there are no data available (Shahbaz, Charles & King, 1998).

## 6 Conclusion

From our data, we determine that J0422+32 was in its lowest state yet observed during December 1997, at I=20.44$`\pm `$0.08. Following a comprehensive search we measure a period of 0.2121600$`\pm `$0.0000002 days, consistent with previous analysis. From the same radial velocity study, we determine a tightly constrained semi-amplitude of 378$`\pm `$16 km s-1. Thus we have shown that using TiO bands for radial velocity studies is a very powerful tool. We also determine a new T of 2450274.4156$`\pm `$0.0009.

Further to this we see some evidence for ellipsoidal modulation, implying a maximum inclination for J0422+32 of 45. We obtain a new mass function of 1.191$`\pm `$0.021 M and q=9.0$`{}_{2.7}{}^{}{}_{}{}^{+2.2}`$, from which we have calculated a minimum mass for the primary of 2.22M, consistent with a black-hole, but not necessarily as a super massive one. However, this is only a minimum mass and the maximum is not constrained. We also revise the calculations of Beekman et al (1997) to demonstrate that the minimum possible mass of the black hole is similar to other black hole systems.

We have shown that it is important to perform a slit correction to the spectra, to calculate the correct flux for such a faint system. We obtain a spectral type of the secondary of M4-5 and determine that the secondary star contributes 38$`\pm `$2% of the flux that we observe from J0422. From this we calculate the distance to the system to be 1.39$`\pm `$0.15 kpc.

## Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the RGO Astronomy Data Centre for providing us with JKT data taken in December of J0422+32. Thanks also go to R. Hynes for many useful comments on this work. NAW is supported by a PPARC studentship. TN is in receipt of a PPARC Advanced Fellowship.


text:
# There is no tame triangulation of the infinite real Grassmannian

## 1 Matroid stratifications

The motivation for tameness comes from matroids and oriented matroids, which are combinatorial abstractions of linear algebra. We don’t give the definition here (see \[AD\] for the definition, and \[BLS+93\] for the full story), but simply state that an oriented matroid on a set $`E`$ is a subset of all functions from $`E`$ to the three-element set $`\{+,,0\}`$, where the subset satisfies certain axioms. A similar definition for a matroid can be given as a subset of all functions from $`E`$ to $`\{1,0\}`$. Any oriented matroid determines a matroid by identifying $`+`$ and $``$ with 1. The functions in the (oriented) matroid are called covectors. An (oriented) matroid has a rank associated to it, and the MacPhersonian $`MacP(k,n)`$ is the set of all rank $`k`$ oriented matroids on $`E=\{1,2,\mathrm{},n\}`$. (The MacPhersonian has a natural partial order, but this does not play a role in the proof of our main theorem.) Let $`\{e_1,e_2,\mathrm{},e_n\}`$ denote the unit coordinate vectors in $`^n`$. For any $`VG(k,^n)`$ there is an associated rank $`k`$ oriented matroid on $`E=\{1,2,\mathrm{},n\}`$ whose set of covectors is the set of all

$$\{i\text{sign}v,e_i\}_{vV}.$$

There is also a matroid associated to the arrangement of vectors, where $`i1`$ if and only if $`v,v_i`$ is non-zero.

###### Definition 1.1.

The (oriented) matroid stratification of $`G(k,^n)`$ is the partition in which $`V,W`$ are in the same element of the partition if and only if they determine the same (oriented) matroid. Elements of the partition are called (oriented) matroid strata.

We now see that a tame triangulation is nothing more than a triangulation which refines the matroid stratification, that is, every stratum is a union of interiors of simplices. If $`M_1`$ and $`M_2`$ are distinct rank $`k`$ oriented matroids on $`\{1,2,\mathrm{},n\}`$ with the same underlying matroid, then the strata of $`M_1`$ and $`M_2`$ lie in disjoint open subsets of $`G(k,^n)`$. Thus any connected subset of a matroid stratum is contained in an oriented matroid stratum, and so any tame triangulation must refine the oriented matroid stratification. Our main proof will show that no triangulation of $`G(3,^{\mathrm{}})`$ refines the oriented matroid stratification.

The (oriented) matroid stratification is interesting geometrically and combinatorially, and has been studied extensively \[BLS+93\]. We note two results. First is the observation of Gelfand-Goresky-MacPherson-Serganova that the matroid stratification is precisely the coarsest common refinement of all of the Schubert cell decompositions given by the standard basis and permutations of the standard basis. The second result is the theorem of Mnëv \[Mnë88\] that the oriented matroid strata can have arbitrarily ugly homotopy type, i.e., for any semialgebraic set $`S`$, there is an $`n`$ and an oriented matroid stratum of $`G(3,^n)`$ for some $`n`$ having the homotopy type of $`S`$.

Our interest in this question arose in considering the theory of *matroid bundles* (cf. \[And99\]), a combinatorial model for real vector bundles. The relationship between $`G(k,^{\mathrm{}})`$ and $`MacP(k,\mathrm{})`$ is a critical question in the theory. The results in this paper arose as a revelation that extending arguments from the finite Grassmannians to the infinite Grassmannian is harder than one might anticipate.

## 2 Proof of the Main Theorem

The proof involves constructing a sequence of specific elements of $`G(3,^{\mathrm{}})`$ which, assuming a tame triangulation, leads to an infinite number of simplices in a compact space $`G(3,^8)`$, and hence to a contradiction.

However, it is rather difficult to visualize $`3`$-planes in $`^n`$, so instead we work with arrangements of vectors in $`^3`$. Let $`Arr(k,n)`$ be the space of all spanning $`n`$-tuples $`(v_1,\mathrm{},v_n)`$ of vectors in $`^k`$. Include $`Arr(k,n)Arr(k,n+1)`$ by adding the zero vector.

###### Lemma 2.1.

(Proposition 2.4.4 in \[BLS+93\]) There is a homeomorphism $`\varphi :G(k,^n)Arr(k,n)/GL_k`$ with $`\varphi (V)=[(\alpha \pi _V(e_1),\mathrm{},\alpha \pi _V(e_n))]`$, where $`\pi _V:^nV`$ is orthogonal projection and $`\alpha :V^k`$ is any isomorphism.

To aid in visualization, we recall in detail the standard map $`m:Arr(k,n)MacP(k,n)`$. Given an arrangement $`(v_1,v_2,\mathrm{},v_n)`$, the non-zero covectors of the associated oriented matroid are given as follows. Any oriented 2-dimensional subspace $`L`$ of $`^3`$ determines a covector $`i+,,\text{or }0`$ depending on whether $`v_i`$ is above, is below, or is on $`L`$. This map $`m`$ is invariant under the action of $`GL_k`$ on $`Arr(k,n)`$, and $`m[\varphi (V)]`$ is precisely the oriented matroid associated to each point in $`G(k,^n)`$ mentioned earlier.

For a rank $`k`$ oriented matroid $`M`$ on $`\{1,2,\mathrm{},n\}`$, let $`U_MG(k,^n)`$ be the associated stratum.

###### Lemma 2.2.

1. For $`MMacP(k,n)`$, $`\varphi (U_M)=m^1(M)/GL_k`$.
2. For $`MMacP(k,n)`$, $`\varphi (\overline{U_M})=\overline{m^1(M)}/GL_k`$.

The first statement is clear from the definitions. The second follows from the first and the fact that $`Arr(k,n)Arr(k,n)/GL_k`$ is a principal bundle and hence a closed map.

We will construct a particular oriented matroid $`MMacP(3,8)`$ and an infinite family of oriented matroids $`M_i`$ whose properties force any triangulation of $`G(3,^{\mathrm{}})`$ refining the matroid stratification to have infinitely many simplices in $`U_M`$.

To further help our visualization, consider the set of affine arrangements $`AArr(2,n)`$, i.e., the set of n-tuples of points in the plane, not all colinear. Identify $`((x_1,y_1),\mathrm{},(x_n,y_n))`$ with $`((x_1,y_1,1),\mathrm{},(x_n,y_n,1))`$ and thus consider $`AArr(2,n)Arr(3,n)`$. Given an affine arrangement $`(v_1,\mathrm{}v_n)`$, the nonzero covectors of the associated oriented matroid are obtained by considering oriented lines in the affine plane and the positions of the $`v_i`$ with respect to these lines. For any $`v^3`$ with positive $`z`$-coordinate $`v_z`$, let $`v^{}=v_z^1v`$. Then the oriented matroid associated to an arrangement $`(v_1,v_2,\mathrm{},v_n)`$ of vectors with positive $`z`$-coordinate is identical to the oriented matroid associated to the affine arrangement $`(v_1^{},v_2^{},\mathrm{},v_n^{})`$. The affine arrangement has the advantage that colinearity, convexity, and intersection properties are determined by the oriented matroid.

It will be convenient to write elements of $``$ as

$$\{\alpha ,\beta ,\gamma ,\omega ,\nu ,a\}\{b_1,b_2,\mathrm{}\}\{c_1,c_2,\mathrm{}\}\{d_1,d_2,\mathrm{}\}$$

We will define inductively a sequence $`A_0A_1A_2\mathrm{}`$ of affine arrangements. Consider the affine arrangement $`A_0`$ pictured in Figure 1.

Given an arrangement $`A_{n1}`$ with elements $`\{\alpha ,\beta ,\gamma ,\omega ,\nu ,a\}\{b_1,b_2,\mathrm{},b_n\}\{c_1,c_2,\mathrm{},c_{n1}\}\{d_1,d_2,\mathrm{},d_{n1}\}`$, define $`A_n`$ by adding points $`\{d_n,b_{n+1},c_n\}`$ to $`A_n`$ as follows:

1. Add $`d_n`$ at the intersection of the lines $`\overline{\omega \gamma }`$ and $`\overline{\alpha b_n}`$.
2. Add $`b_{n+1}`$ at the intersection of the lines $`\overline{\omega \beta }`$ and $`\overline{ad_n}`$.
3. Add $`c_n`$ at the intersection of the lines $`\overline{\alpha \beta }`$ and $`\overline{ab_{n+1}}`$.

For instance, $`A_1`$ is pictured in Figure 2 and $`A_2`$ is pictured in Figure 3.

An induction on $`n`$ shows that the $`c_i`$ are all distinct in each $`A_n`$.

For each positive integer $`i`$, let $`M_i`$ be the oriented matroid associated to the arrangement obtained from $`A_i`$ by changing the name of $`c_i`$ to $`\delta `$. Note that for any realization of $`M_i`$ in $`^3`$, the corresponding realization in affine space is determined by the positions of $`\{\alpha ,a,b_1,\beta ,\nu \}.`$

Finally, let $`M`$ be the oriented matroid associated to the affine arrangement shown in Figure 4.

The following lemma says that the stratum $`U_M`$ intersects the closure of each $`U_{M_i}`$, and these intersections are disjoint.

###### Lemma 2.3.

1. $`\overline{m^1(M_i)}m^1(M)\mathrm{}`$ for every $`i>0`$, and
2. $`\overline{m^1(M_i)}\overline{m^1(M_j)}m^1(M)=\mathrm{}`$ for every $`ij`$ where $`i,j>0`$.

###### Proof.

For the first statement, we need a convergent sequence $`A_i^1,A_i^2,\mathrm{}`$ of elements of $`Arr(3,\mathrm{})`$, each of which represents the oriented matroid $`M_i`$, and whose limit is in $`Arr(3,8)`$ and represents $`M`$. This sequence is defined by closing up the angle $`\mathrm{}\beta \omega a`$, leaving the points $`\{\alpha ,\beta ,\gamma ,\delta ,\omega ,\nu ,a,b_1\}`$ all at height 1 in $`^3`$ and in the right order in the limit. Meanwhile, the realizations of the remaining points are obtained by letting each $`z`$-coordinate be $`1/n`$ while maintaining the colinearity and intersection properties determined by $`M_i`$.

The second statement is proven using two facts from elementary projective geometry:

1. For every two $`(n+1)`$-tuples $`\{x_0,\mathrm{},x_n\}`$ and $`\{y_0,\mathrm{},y_n\}`$ of points in general position in affine $`n`$-dimensional space, there exists a unique affine automorphism222An affine automorphism is the composite of a linear automorphism with a translation. These are the bijections of affine space which take lines to lines. taking each $`x_i`$ to $`y_i`$.
2. If $`(a,b,c,d)`$ are four points on a line in the affine plane (in the order given), their cross-ratio

$$\frac{ac}{bc}\frac{bd}{ad}$$

is invariant under affine automorphism.

Now assume by way of contradiction there exists an affine arrangement $`B\overline{m^1(M_i)}\overline{m^1(M_j)}m^1(M)`$ for some $`ij`$. We will compute the cross-ratio of the points $`(\alpha ,\delta ,\gamma ,\beta )`$ in $`B`$ in two different ways (an $`i`$-way and a $`j`$-way) and come up with a contradiction.

Construct a sequence $`B_i^1,B_i^2,\mathrm{}`$ of arrangements in $`m^1(M_i)`$ such that

* the sequence converges to $`B`$,
* the elements $`\{\alpha ,\beta ,\gamma ,\delta ,\omega ,\nu ,a,b_1\}`$ all have $`z`$-coordinate 1 in each $`B_i^n`$, and
* the subarrangements $`(\alpha ,\beta ,\gamma ,\delta ,a,b_1)`$ in each $`B_i^n`$ are all projectively equivalent. (That is, for every $`n_1,n_2`$ there is an affine automorphism of the plane taking the subarrangement in $`B_i^{n_1}`$ to the subarrangement in $`B_i^{n_2}`$.)

Fix a small $`ϵ`$. Define $`B_i^n`$ to be the unique realization of $`M_i`$ with

1. $`\alpha `$, $`a`$, $`\omega `$, and $`\nu `$ in the same positions as in $`B`$,
2. $`\beta `$ the point at distance $`ϵ/n`$ above the position of $`\beta `$ in $`B`$,
3. $`b_1`$ determined by requiring the 1-dimensional affine arrangement $`\{\omega ,b_1,\beta \}`$ in $`B_i^n`$ to be projectively equivalent to the corresponding arrangement in $`B`$, and
4. All other points determined by the colinearity and convexity conditions of $`M_i`$, together with the condition that the $`z`$-coordinates of $`\gamma `$ and $`\delta `$ are 1 and the $`z`$-coordinates of all remaining points are $`1/n`$.

That all elements of the arrangements $`B_i^n`$ except $`\gamma `$ and $`\delta `$ converge to the corresponding elements of $`B`$ is clear. We get convergence of $`\gamma `$ and $`\delta `$ by noting that there exists some sequence $`C_i^1,C_i^2,\mathrm{}`$ in $`m^1(M_i)`$ converging to $`B`$. As $`n`$ increases, the elements $`\{\alpha ,\beta ,\omega ,\nu ,a,b_1\}`$ in $`B_i^n`$ converge to the corresponding elements of $`C_i^n`$. Since the positions of $`\gamma `$ and $`\delta `$ are determined by the positions of $`\{\alpha ,\beta ,a,b_1\}`$, $`\gamma `$ and $`\delta `$ converge as well.

Note that the subarrangements $`\{\alpha ,\beta ,\gamma ,\delta ,a,b_1\}`$in the $`B_i^n`$ are all projectively equivalent (by the affine automorphism fixing $`\omega `$ and $`a`$ and mapping the corresponding $`\beta `$ to each other). Thus the cross-ratio $`cr(i)`$ of $`(\alpha ,\delta ,\gamma ,\beta )`$ is the same in all the $`B_i^n`$, and so $`cr(i)`$ is the cross-ratio of $`(\alpha ,\delta ,\gamma ,\beta )`$ in $`B`$.

Similarly, we get a sequence $`B_j^1,B_j^2,\mathrm{}`$ in $`m^1(M_j)`$ and calculate the cross-ratio of $`(\alpha ,\delta ,\gamma ,\beta )`$ in $`B`$ to be $`cr(j)`$. Thus $`cr(i)=cr(j)`$. On the other hand, consider the affine automorphism of the plane fixing the points $`\omega `$ and $`a`$ in $`B`$ and taking the point $`\beta `$ in $`B_i^1`$ to the point $`\beta `$ in $`B_j^1`$. This sends the subarrangement $`(\alpha ,\beta ,a,b_1)`$ in $`B_i^1`$ to the corresponding subarrangement of $`B_j^1`$, hence sends the point $`\gamma `$ in $`B_i^1`$ to the point $`\gamma `$ in $`B_j^1`$. But it does *not* send the point $`\delta `$ in $`B_i^1`$ to the point $`\delta `$ in $`B_j^1`$, since $`c_ic_j`$ in $`A_{\mathrm{max}\{i,j\}}`$. Hence $`cr(i)cr(j)`$, a contradiction. ∎

###### Proof of Main Theorem.

We assume that there is a tame triangulation of $`G(3,^{\mathrm{}})`$ and reach a contradiction. By Lemma 2.3 and Lemma 2.2, $`U_M\overline{U_{M_i}}\mathrm{}`$ and $`U_M\overline{U_{M_i}}\overline{U_{M_j}}=\mathrm{}`$ for every $`i`$ and $`j`$. Choose a sequence of simplices $`\sigma _1,\sigma _2,\mathrm{}`$ so that

$$\text{int }\sigma _iU_M\overline{U_{M_i}}\mathrm{}.$$

Then there exists a sequence of simplices $`\tau _1,\tau _2,\mathrm{}`$ so that $`\text{ int }\tau _iU_{M_i}`$ and $`\sigma _i`$ is a face of $`\tau _i`$. Then $`\text{ int }\sigma _iU_M\overline{U_{M_i}}`$ so, by part 2 of the above lemma, the $`\sigma _i`$’s are distinct. Thus there are an infinite number of simplices in a compact set $`\overline{U_M}G(3,^8)`$, which is a contradiction. ∎

## 3 Generalizations

Our main theorem can be generalized in two different ways: generalize to partitions more general than a triangulation, and to stratifications more general than the matroid stratification.

###### Definition 3.1.

A weak subdivision of a partition $`P=\{U_i:iI\}`$ of a space $`X`$ is a partition $`Q`$ of $`X`$ such that

* $`Q`$ *refines* $`P`$, i.e., every $`U`$ in $`P`$ is the union of elements of $`Q`$,
* Each element of $`Q`$ is *connected*,
* $`Q`$ is *locally finite*, i.e. every compact set $`K`$ of $`X`$ intersects only a finite number of elements of $`Q`$,
* $`Q`$ is *normal*, i.e., if $`U`$ and $`V`$ are elements of $`Q`$ and $`U\overline{V}\mathrm{}`$ then $`U\overline{V}`$.

If $`Q`$ consists of the interiors of simplices in a triangulation of $`X`$, and $`Q`$ refines a partition $`P`$, then $`Q`$ is a weak subdivision of $`P`$. However, a CW decomposition of $`X`$ refining $`P`$ need not be a weak subdivision; normality may not hold.

If $`M`$ and $`M^{}`$ are (oriented) matroids on a set $`E`$ and if every covector of $`M^{}`$ is a covector of $`M`$, then one says that there is a strong map $`MM^{}`$. Define the combinatorial Grassmannian

$$\mathrm{\Gamma }(k,M)=\{M^{}:\text{rank }M^{}=k\text{ and }MM^{}\}.$$

If $`M`$ is the (oriented) matroid associated to a collection of vectors $`\{v_1,v_2,\mathrm{},v_m\}`$ spanning $`^n`$, define

$$\mu _M:G(k,^n)\mathrm{\Gamma }(k,M)$$

by sending $`V`$ to the (oriented) matroid with covectors

$$\{i\text{sign}v,v_i\}_{vV}.$$

The point inverse images are called the generalized (oriented) matroid strata. This stratification comes up in the study of extension spaces of oriented matroids (cf. \[SZ93\]).

To get a stratification of the infinite Grassmannian, one needs some compatibility between the matroids. Let $`A_1A_2A_3\mathrm{}^{\mathrm{}}`$ be a sequence of finite sets, whose union spans $`^{\mathrm{}}`$, and so that every element of $`A_{i+1}A_i`$ has all of its first $`i`$ coordinates zero. Then the associated oriented matroids $`M_1,M_2,\mathrm{}`$ satisfy

* $`M_{i+1}M_i`$ for all $`i`$, and so there are inclusions $`\mathrm{\Gamma }(k,M_i)\mathrm{\Gamma }(k,M_{i+1})`$, and
* the associated maps $`\mu _{M_i}:G(k,^{n_i})\mathrm{\Gamma }(k,M_i)`$ commute with the inclusions of real resp. combinatorial Grassmannians.

Thus the maps $`\mu _{M_i}`$ give a generalized (oriented) matroid stratification of $`G(k,^{\mathrm{}})`$. By choosing $`B_1B_2B_3\mathrm{}`$ so that the $`B_iA_i`$ and the $`B_i`$ are linearly independent, we see that the generalized (oriented) matroid stratification is essentially a refinement of the oriented matroid stratification. Thus the our proof of our main theorem showed the following result.

###### Theorem 3.2.

There is no weak subdivision of any generalized (oriented) matroid stratification of $`G(k,^{\mathrm{}})`$ for $`k3`$.

## 4 Tame Triangulations and matroid bundles

The point of this section is to give a context for tame triangulations, to show how they allow the process of *combinatorialization*, the passage from topological structures to combinatorial ones. This occurs in two related ways, in constructing maps from real to combinatorial Grassmannians, and in passing from vector bundles to matroid bundles. For more on this see \[AD\] and \[And99\]. Our main theorem forces delicate constructions in going from the finite to the infinite dimensional case in \[AD\].

Let $`\pi :EB`$ be a rank $`k`$ vector bundle over a simplicial complex. Assume the fibers $`F_b=\pi ^1(b)`$ are equipped with a continuously varying inner product. If $`B`$ is finite-dimensional, there is a set of spanning sections $`S=\{s_1,s_2,\mathrm{},s_n\}`$. Then we have a map

$$:BMacP(k,n)$$

sending $`bB`$ to the oriented matroid associated to $`\{s_1(b),s_2(b),\mathrm{},s_n(b)\}F_b`$. (The reader is strongly urged to work out the case of the open Möbius strip mapping to the circle.) The set of sections $`S`$ is said to be tame when $``$ is constant on the interior of simplices, in which case we have a true combinatorial gadget, a *matroid bundle*. The existence of a tame triangulation of $`G(k,^n)`$ shows that every rank $`k`$ vector bundle over an $`n`$-dimensional complex has a tame set of sections after subdividing the base. This is accomplished by applying the simplicial approximation theorem to a classifying map $`BG(k,^n)`$, and pulling back the canonical sections.

One can think of the MacPhersonian $`MacP(k,n)`$ of rank $`k`$ oriented matroids on $`\{1,2,\mathrm{},n\}`$ as a classifying space for matroid bundles. It has a partial order given by $`M_1M_2`$ if there is a weak map from $`M_1`$ to $`M_2`$. If $`U_{M_1}\overline{U_{M_2}}\mathrm{}`$, then $`M_1M_2`$. Let $`MacP(k,n)`$ be the geometric realization (= order complex) of this poset. Let $`\mu :G(k,^n)MacP(k,n)`$ be the realization map. Given a tame triangulation of $`G(k,^n)`$, then one can construct a simplicial map $`\stackrel{~}{\mu }:G(k,^n)MacP(k,n)`$ from the barycentric subdivision of the tame triangulation agreeing with $`\mu `$ on the vertices. The main result of \[AD\] shows that $`\stackrel{~}{\mu }`$ carries the Stiefel-Whitney classes, and hence Stiefel-Whitney classes can be defined purely combinatorially.

Acknoledgements: We thank Günter Ziegler for helpful comments.