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I'm selfstudying stochastic processes. There is a question on the characterization of sets in $\mathcal F_t^X:=\sigma(\{X_s: s\leq t \})$.

Let $T \subset \mathbb R^+$ be the time index set. We consider $\Omega \subset E^T$ where $E$ is some (nice) set, e.g. $\mathbb R$ with the property that for eacht $t\in T$ and $\omega\in \Omega$ there is $\bar \omega \in \Omega$ such that $\bar \omega_s = \omega_{s\wedge t}$ for all $s\in T$ (I personally don't know why we need this). Let $\mathcal F=\mathcal E^T\cap \Omega$ where $\mathcal E^T$ is the $\sigma$-algebra on $E^T$. Let $X=(X_t)_{t\in T}$ be the canonical process on $(\Omega,\mathcal F)$.

The problem I have is to prove the following assertion:

Assertion. $A\in \mathcal F^X_t$ implies the following

  1. $A\in\mathcal F_\infty^X$.
  2. $\omega \in A$ and $X_s(\omega)=X_s(\omega')$ for all $s\in T$ with $s\leq t$ imply $\omega'\in A$.

Attempt.

Number (1) follows from $\mathcal F_t^X\subset\mathcal F_\infty^X$. But I'm having troubles with the second implication. I started like this, let $\mathcal C$ be a $\pi$-system that generates $\mathcal E$. Then in one of the notes they say $\mathcal F_t^X$ is generated by the following $\pi$-system $\mathcal C_t^X$, defined as \begin{align} \mathcal C_t^X = \{X_{t_1}^{-1}(C_1)\cap ...\cap X_{t_n}^{-1}(C_n) : t_1<t_2 <...<t_n\leq t, C_1,...,C_n\in\mathcal C, n=1,2,....\} \end{align}
Of course, if $A\in \mathcal C_t^X$, then $\omega \in A$ if and only if \begin{align*} X_{t_1}(\omega) \in C_1,....,X_{t_n}(\omega)\in C_n \end{align*} for some set $C_1, C_2,..$ etc. But then it is immediately clear that $\omega'\in A$. I can only do this in the case $A$ is in the $\pi$-system. How can I conclude that the assertion also holds if $A$ is not in the $\pi$-system?

Shashi
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1 Answers1

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For $t \in T$ define a mapping $a_t: \Omega \to \Omega$ by

$$a_t(\omega)(s) := \omega(t \wedge s), \qquad s \in T.$$

This mapping is well-defined because of the property of $\Omega \subseteq E^T$ which you mentioned in your question.

Claim: $\mathcal{F}_t^X \subseteq \mathcal{G}_t := a_t^{-1}(\mathcal{F}_{\infty}^X)$

Proof: It suffices to show that $X_s$ is $\mathcal{G}_t$-measurable for any $s \leq t$, $s \in T$. Since $$X_s(\omega) = \omega(s) = \omega(s \wedge t) = a_t(\omega)(s) = X_s(a_t(\omega))$$ for any $s \leq t$, $s \in T$, we have $$\{X_s \in B\} = \{X_s(a_t) \in B\} = \{a_t \in X_s^{-1}(B)\} \in a_t^{-1}(\mathcal{F}_{\infty}^X)$$ for any measurable set $B$. Hence, $X_s$ is $\mathcal{G}_t$-measurable, and this finishes the proof.


Fix $A \in \mathcal{F}_t^X$. By the above result, there exists $C \in \mathcal{F}_{\infty}^X$ such that $A = a_t^{-1}(C)$. Now if $\omega \in A$ and $\omega' \in \Omega$ are such that $$\forall s \leq t, s \in T: \quad X_s(\omega) = X_s(\omega')$$ then $$\forall s \leq t, s \in T: \quad \omega(s) = \omega'(s),$$ and so $a_t(\omega)=a_t(\omega')$. Thus,

$$1_A(\omega') = 1_{a_t^{-1}(C)}(\omega') = 1_C(a_t(\omega')) = 1_C(a_t(\omega)) = 1_A(\omega)=1,$$

i.e. $\omega' \in A$.

saz
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  • I love this answer! Although it is really simple, it taught me tricks which is very valuable in my learning progress! I don't know how to thank you! I will put a bounty on this answer when I'm allowed to do so! – Shashi Nov 25 '18 at 19:57
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    @Shashi You are welcome; I'm glad I could help you. Two remarks: 1. It's possible to show that $\mathcal{F}_t = \mathcal{G}_t$. 2. There is an analogous statement for $\sigma$-algebras generated by stopping times, it's known as Galmarino's test, see this question for details. – saz Nov 25 '18 at 20:46
  • O, wow! That is exactly the second part of this question! It is nice to have a solution somewhere to check it. – Shashi Nov 25 '18 at 20:49
  • Sorry to disturb you, but I have a small question concerning your other answer, I mean why so technical? I have the same question with $\tau(\omega) \leq t$ instead of equal sign. But then $\omega\in A={\omega": \tau(\omega") \leq t} \in \mathcal F_t^X$. But then if $X_s(\omega) =X_s(\omega') $ then I have $\omega'\in A$ by the above, proving one way of Galmarino. I don't see why such argument does not work... Is there something subtle going wrong with my reasoning? – Shashi Nov 26 '18 at 16:49
  • @Shashi I don't see anything wrong about your reasoning; to be honest, I never thought about it this way... perhaps my proof is indeed more technical than necessary. – saz Nov 26 '18 at 17:43
  • Thanks for the confirmation! – Shashi Nov 26 '18 at 19:11
  • @Shashi Thanks for offering this generous bounty. If you don't mind (that is, unless you want to write an answer yourself), I will rewrite my answer for Galmino's test (i.e. get rid of the superfluous technical stuff and use your nice idea). – saz Nov 28 '18 at 10:48
  • Of course, I don't mind that! For me it's an honour that someone of your status would like to use my idea. – Shashi Nov 28 '18 at 11:09
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    @Shashi Yes, I do really like your idea (...not sure about my "status", though...) I just rewrote the proof; it works out nicely and, in particular, I got rid of (almost) all the technical stuff. – saz Nov 28 '18 at 13:12