Definable maximal discrete sets in forcing extensions

Abstract

Let $\mathcal R$ be a $\Sigma^1_1$ binary relation, and recall that a set $A$ is $\mathcal R$-discrete if no two elements of $A$ are related by $\mathcal R$. We show that in the Sacks and Miller forcing extensions of $L$ there is a $\Delta^1_2$ maximal $\mathcal{R}$-discrete set. We use this to answer in the negative the main question posed in \cite{Fischer2010} by showing that in the Sacks and Miller extensions there is a $\Pi^1_1$ maximal orthogonal family ("mof") of Borel probability measures on Cantor space. By contrast, we show that if there is a Mathias real over $L$ then there are no $\Sigma^1_2$ mofs.