In mathematics, the Borel algebra (or Borel σ-algebra) on a topological space X is either of the two σ-algebras:

• The minimal σ-algebra containing the open sets.
• The minimal σ-algebra containing the compact sets.

Here, the minimal σ-algebra containing a collection T of subsets of X is the smallest σ-algebra containing T. The existence and uniqueness of the minimal σ-algebra is shown by noting that the intersection of all σ-algebras containing T is itself a σ-algebra containing T.

The elements of the Borel algebra are called Borel sets.

In general topological spaces, even locally compact ones, the two structures are different. They are however identical whenever the topological space is a locally compact separable metric space.

Generating the Borel algebra

In the case X is a metric space, the Borel algebra in the first sense may be described generatively as follows.

For a collection T of subsets of X (that is, for any subset of the power set P(X) of X), let

• T_σ be all countable unions of elements of T
• T_δ be all countable intersections of elements of T
• 

Define by transfinite induction a sequence G^m, where m is an ordinal number, in the following manner:

• For the base case of the definition,

G⁰ = the collection of open subsets of X.

• If i is not a limit ordinal, then i has an immediately preceding ordinal i-1. Let

Gⁱ = [G^{i - 1}]_δσ.

• If i is a limit ordinal, set

We now claim that the Borel algebra is G^m for the first uncountable ordinal number m, that is, the Borel algebra can be generated from the open sets after performing unions and intersections an uncountable number of times.

To prove this fact, note that any open set in a metric space is the union of an increasing sequence of closed sets. In particular, it is easy to show that complementation of sets maps G^m into itself for any limit ordinal; moreover if m is an uncountable limit ordinal, G^m is closed under countable unions.

This alternate definition is useful for some set-theoretic considerations, but the minimalist definition is preferred by analysts.

Examples

A particularly important example is the Borel algebra on the set of real numbers. It is the algebra on which the Borel measure is defined. Given a real random variable defined on a probability space, its probability distribution is by definition, also a measure on the Borel algebra. The Borel algebra on the reals is the smallest sigma algebra on R which contains all the intervals.

The following is one of a number of Kuratowski theorems on Borel spaces: A Borel space is just another name for a set equipped with a σ-algebra. Borel spaces form a category in which the maps are Borel measurable mappings between Borel spaces, where f:X -> Y is Borel measurable iff f^-1(B) is Borel in X for any Borel subset B of Y.

Theorem. Let X be a Polish space, that is a topological space such that there is a metric d on X which defines the topology of X and which makes X a complete separable metric space. Then X as a Borel space is isomorphic to one of (1) R, (2) Z or (3) a finite space.

It should be noted that as Borel spaces R and R union with a countable set, are isomorphic.

For subsets of Polish spaces, Borel sets can be characterized as those sets which are the ranges of continuous injective maps defined on Polish spaces. Note however, that the range of a continuous noninjective map may fail to be Borel. See analytic set.

See also

• Baire set

References

An excellent exposition of the machinery of Polish topology is given in Chapter 3 of the following reference:

• William Arveson, An Invitation to C*-algebras, Springer-Verlag, 1981

• Richard Dudley , Real Analysis and Probability. Wadsworth, Brooks and Cole, 1989

• Paul Halmos, Measure Theory, D.van Nostrand Co., 1950

• Halsey Royden , Real Analysis, Prentice Hall, 1988