The membership problem for \(\langle a,b:bab^2=ab\rangle\) (Q5939966)

Let \(S_k\) be the semigroup with presentation \(\langle a,b:b(ab)^kb=ab\rangle\). The author shows that \(S_1\), the semigroup of the title, has a solvable membership problem. Now \textit{G. Lallement} and \textit{L. Rosaz} [Semigroup Forum 48, No. 2, 169-179 (1994; Zbl 0807.20047)] have shown that every \(S_k\) is residually finite and thus has solvable word problem. The analog to residual finiteness in the current context is finite separability. A semigroup is finitely separable if any element and any subsemigroup can be separated in some finite homomorphic image; finite separability implies solvability of the membership problem. The author observes, however, that by results of Golubov no \(S_k\) is finitely separable.