The Structure of K-Cs-Transitive Cycle-Free Partial Orders

The class of cycle-free partial orders (CFPOs) is defined, and the CFPOs fulfilling a natural transitivity assumption, called $k$-connected set transitivity ($k$-$CS$-transitivity), are analyzed in some detail. Classification in many of the interesting cases is given. This work generalizes Droste's classification of the countable $k$-transitive trees ($k \geq 2$). In a CFPO, the structure can branch downwards as well as upwards, and can do so repeatedly (though it never returns to the starting point by a cycle). Mostly it is assumed that $k \geq 3$ and that all maximal chains are finite. The main classification splits into the sporadic and skeletal cases. The former is complete in all cardinalities. The latter is performed only in the countable case. The classification is considerably more complicated than for trees, and skeletal CFPOs exhibit rich, elaborate and rather surprising behavior. Features: Lucid exposition of an important generalization of Droste's work Extended introduction clearly explaining the scope of the memoir Visually attractive topic with copious illustrations Self-contained material, requiring few prerequisites