Projective Valuations, D-Relations, and Ends of Λ-Trees

Abstract

A projective valuation on a set Eis a mapping w : E ⁴ → Λ ∪ {±∞}, where Λ is an ordered abelian group, satisfying certain axioms. A D-relation on Eis a four-place relation on E, again with certain properties. There is a projective valuation on the set of ends of a Λ-tree (and on any subset, by restriction) and we show, using a construction suggested by Tits in the case Λ = ℝ, that every projective valuation arises in this way. Every projective valuation wdefines a D-relation, and there is a simple geometric interpretation of the D-relation, given a Λ-tree defining w. Our main result is a converse, that any D-relation can be defined by a projective valuation, hence arises from an embedding into the set of ends of a Λ-tree.

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