Abstract

We construct divergent models of $\mathsf {AD}^+$ along with the failure of the Continuum Hypothesis ( $\mathsf {CH}$ ) under various assumptions. Divergent models of $\mathsf {AD}^+$ play an important role in descriptive inner model theory; all known analyses of HOD in $\mathsf {AD}^+$ models (without extra iterability assumptions) are carried out in the region below the existence of divergent models of $\mathsf {AD}^+$. Our results are the first step toward resolving various open questions concerning the length of definable prewellorderings of the reals and principles implying $\neg \mathsf {CH}$, like $\mathsf {MM}$, that divergent models shed light on, see Question 5.1.