Stopping-time sigma-algebra (${\mathcal{F}}_T$)

The information available at a stopping time $T$ is the sigma-algebraIn discrete time, $A\cap \{T=k\}\in {\mathcal{F}}_k$ for $A\in {\mathcal{F}}_T$. A bounded stopping time permits conditional forms of the optional stopping theorem with respect to this sigma-algebra.

If $S\le T$ are stopping times and $A\in {\mathcal{F}}_S$, then $U=S{1}_A+T{1}_{A^c}$ is a stopping time. The key identity isThis uses the ordering $S\le T$: without it, $A$ need not be known when $T$ occurs. Such pastings test the martingale identity through expectations at bounded stopping times.