On the rank of completely 0-simple semigroups

Abstract

AbstractConnected completely 0-simple semigroups are defined by a number of equivalent conditions, and a formula for the rank of these semigroups is proved. As a consequence an alternative proof of the result from [11] is given. In the case of a Rees matrix semigroup M0 [G, I, Λ, P] the rank is expressed in terms of |I|, |Λ|, G and a certain subgroup of G depending on P. At the end the minimal rank of all semigroups M0[G, I, Λ, P] is found for a given group G. Since every completely simple semigroup is connected, every result has a corollary for these semigroups.