A metrizable $X$ with $C_p(X)$ not homeomorphic to $C_p(X)\times C_p(X)$

Abstract: We give an example of an infinite metrizable space $X$ such that the space $C_p(X)$, of continuous real-valued function on $X$ endowed with the pointwise topology, is not homeomorphic to its own square $C_p(X)\times C_p(X)$. The space $X$ is a zero-dimensional subspace of the real line. Our result answers a long-standing open question in the theory of function spaces posed by A.V. Arhangel'skii.