Knaster and friends II: The C-sequence number

Motivated by a characterization of weakly compact cardinals due to Todorcevic, we introduce a new cardinal characteristic, the [Formula: see text]-sequence number, which can be seen as a measure of the compactness of a regular uncountable cardinal. We prove a number of [Formula: see text] and independence results about the [Formula: see text]-sequence number and its relationship with large cardinals, stationary reflection, and square principles. We then introduce and study the more general [Formula: see text]-sequence spectrum and uncover some tight connections between the [Formula: see text]-sequence spectrum and the strong coloring principle [Formula: see text], introduced in Part I of this series.

Rado’s Conjecture and its Baire version

Rado’s Conjecture is a compactness/reflection principle that says any nonspecial tree of height [Formula: see text] has a nonspecial subtree of size [Formula: see text]. Though incompatible with Martin’s Axiom, Rado’s Conjecture turns out to have many interesting consequences that are also implied by certain forcing axioms. In this paper, we obtain consistency results concerning Rado’s Conjecture and its Baire version. In particular, we show that a fragment of [Formula: see text], which is the forcing axiom for Baire Indestructibly Proper forcings, is compatible with the Baire Rado’s Conjecture. As a corollary, the Baire Rado’s Conjecture does not imply Rado’s Conjecture. Then we discuss the strength and limitations of the Baire Rado’s Conjecture regarding its interaction with stationary reflection principles and some families of weak square principles. Finally, we investigate the influence of Rado’s Conjecture on some polarized partition relations.

Simultaneous stationary reflection and square sequences

We investigate the relationship between weak square principles and simultaneous reflection of stationary sets.

REFLECTION OF STATIONARY SETS AND THE TREE PROPERTY AT THE SUCCESSOR OF A SINGULAR CARDINAL

We show that from infinitely many supercompact cardinals one can force a model of ZFC where both the tree property and the stationary reflection hold at אω2+1.