The model-companion of a class of structures

Abstract

If Σ is the class of all fields and Σ* is the class of all algebraically closed fields, then it is well known that Σ* is characterized by the following properties:(i) Σ* is the class of models of some first order theory K*.(ii) If m1m2 are in Σ* and m1 ⊆ m2 then m1 ≺ m2 (m1 is an elementary substructure of m2, i.e. any first order sentence true in m1 is true in m2).(iii) If m1 is in Σ then there is a structure m2 in Σ* such that m1 ⊆ m2.If Σ is some other class of models of a first order theory K and a subclass Σ* of Σ exists satisfying (i)–(iii) then Σ* is uniquely determined and K* (which is unique up to logical equivalence) is called the model-companion of K. This notion is a generalization of the fundamental notion of model-completion introduced and extensively studied by A. Robinson [6], When the model-companion exists it provides the basis for a satisfactory treatment of the notion of an algebraically closed model of K.Recently A. Robinson has developed a more general formulation of the notion of “algebraically closed” structures in Σ, which is applicable to any inductive elementary class Σ of structures (by elementary we always mean ECΔ). Condition (i) must be weakened to(i′) Σ* is closed under elementary substructure (i.e. if m1 is in Σ* and m2 ≺ m1 then m2 is in Σ*).