On the existence of strong chains in ℘(ω1)/Fin

Abstract

Abstract(Xα: α < ω2) ⊂ ℘(ω1) is a strong chain in ℘(ω1)/Fin if and only if Xβ – Xα is finite and Xα – Xβ is uncountable for each β < α < ω1. We show that it is consistent that a strong chain in ℘(ω1) exists. On the other hand we show that it is consistent that there is a strongly almost-disjoint family in ℘(ω1) but no strong chain exists: is used to construct a c.c.c forcing that adds a strong chain and Chang's Conjecture to prove that there is no strong chain.