Half of an inseparable pair.

Abstract

A classical theorem of Luzin is that the separation principle holds for the $\mathbf{\Pi}^0_\propto$ sets but fails for the $\mathbf{\Sigma}^0_\propto$ sets. We show that for every $\mathbf{\Sigma}^0_\propto$ set $A$ which is not $\mathbf{\Pi}^0_\propto$ there exists a $\mathbf{\Sigma}^0_\propto$ set $B$ which is disjoint from $A$ but cannot be separated from A by a $\mathbf{\Delta}^0_\propto$ set $C$. Assuming $\mathbf{Pi}^1_1$-determancy it follows from a theorem of Steel that a similar result holds for $\mathbf{Pi}^1_1$ sets. On the other hand assuming V=L there is a proper $\mathbf{Pi}^1_1$ set which is not half of a Borel inseparable pair. These results answer questions raised by F.Dashiell.