Definable valuations on ordered fields

Abstract

We study the definability of convex valuations on ordered fields, with a particular focus on the distinguished subclass of henselian valuations. In the setting of ordered fields, one can consider definability both in the language of rings $\mathcal{L}_{\mathrm{r}}$ and in the richer language of ordered rings $\mathcal{L}_{\mathrm{or}}$. We analyse and compare definability in both languages and show the following contrary results: while there are convex valuations that are definable in the language $\mathcal{L}_{\mathrm{or}}$ but not in the language $\mathcal{L}_{\mathrm{r}}$, any $\mathcal{L}_{\mathrm{or}}$-definable henselian valuation is already $\mathcal{L}_{\mathrm{r}}$-definable. To prove the latter, we show that the value group and the ordered residue field of an ordered henselian valued field are stably embedded (as an ordered abelian group, respectively as an ordered field). Moreover, we show that in almost real closed fields any $\mathcal{L}_{\mathrm{or}}$-definable valuation is henselian.