category of large vector spaces over a large field with a small basis

Notation VectKs\Vect^s_K Objects large vector spaces over a large field KK that are isomorphic to KXK^{\oplus X} for a set XX Morphisms KK-linear maps Related FinVectK\FinVect_K[On,Ab][\On,\Ab][Setdisc,Ab][\Set_{\disc},\Ab]VectK\Vect_K

Recall from our foundations that we work with sets ("small sets") and collections ("large sets"). A large field KK is a collection equipped with a field structure. Concrete examples are Q(Xα:αOn)\IQ(X_\alpha : \alpha \in \OnColl) and the field of nimbers On2\On_2. There is a well-behaved hypercategory VectK\Vect_K of large vector spaces over KK, which are collections equipped with a suitable algebraic structure. (See the linked article on foundations for the definition of a hypercategory.) Since collections and sets behave mostly the same (both satisfy the ZFC-axioms), it has analogous properties to its small counterpart: it is a split abelian, finitary algebraic hypercategory, and every object is isomorphic to KXK^{\oplus X} for a collection XX.
In this entry, we consider the full sub-hypercategory VectKs\Vect^s_K of VectK\Vect_K consisting of the large vector spaces that are isomorphic to KXK^{\oplus X} for a set XX. Equivalently, a small basis exists. The relationship between VectKs\Vect^s_K and VectK\Vect_K is similar to that between FinVectK\FinVect_K and VectK\Vect_K. However, VectKs\Vect^s_K is not self-dual, which breaks the analogy.
However, VectKs\Vect^s_K is not a category as defined in our foundations, because the totality of its objects is not a collection. Even the totality of trivial large vector spaces is not a collection, analogous to the fact that the collection of trivial vector spaces is not a set. However, the totality of objects of VectKs\Vect^s_K is in bijection with the collection of sets, so VectKs\Vect^s_K is equivalent (as a hypercategory) to a category. This category has sets as objects and (not necessarily finite) column-finite matrices over KK as morphisms. Formally, we need to work with this category to stay within our framework, but it is easier and more natural to work with VectKs\Vect^s_K instead, in particular when studying its properties. To decide all properties, we assume that KK is not bijective to a set.
This category does not appear in practice, but it provides an example of a Grothendieck abelian category that is not complete, which is impossible in the locally small case.

Satisfied Properties

Assigned properties

Deduced properties

Unsatisfied Properties

Assigned properties

Deduced properties*

*This also uses the deduced satisfied properties.

Unknown properties

Special objects

  • terminal object: trivial vector space
  • initial object: trivial vector space
  • products: direct products
  • coproducts: direct sums

Special morphisms

  • isomorphisms: bijective linear maps
  • monomorphisms: injective linear maps
  • epimorphisms: surjective linear maps
  • regular monomorphisms: same as monomorphisms
  • regular epimorphisms: same as epimorphisms