On bisimple semigroups generated by a finite number of idempotents

Abstract

AbstractNon-completely simple bisimple semigroups S which are generated by a finite number of idempotents are studied by means of Rees matrix semigroups over local submonoids eSe, e = e2 ∈ S. If under the natural partial order on the set Es of idempotents of such a semigroup S the sets ω(e) = {ƒ ∈ Es: ƒ ≤ e} for each e ∈ Es are well-ordered, then S is shown to contain a subsemigroup isomorphic to Sp4, the fundamental four-spiral semigroup. A non-completely simple hisimple semigroup is constructed which is generated by 5 idempotents but which does not contain a subsemigroup isomorphic to Sp4.