A non-surjective epimorphism of bands (Q1083552)

The author constructs a (necessarily infinite) example of a band with a properly epimorphically embedded subband, thus proving the existence of non-surjective epimorphisms in the categories of bands and regular semigroups. This contrasts with the categories of finite bands, finite regular semigroups and inverse semigroups, for which epis are onto. The construction is based on a construction of this reviewer of a band epimorphically embedded in a semigroup [Bull. Aust. Math. Soc. 27, 231- 242 (1983; Zbl 0505.20043)]. The author begins with a free semigroup \(F_ Z\) where Z is the union of three countably infinite sets, X, Y and A. One then considers \(F_ Z/\rho\) where \(\rho\supset \tau\), the least band congruence on \(F_ Z\), together with sufficient ''zigzag'' relations in order to ensure that \(<A>/\rho\) is epimorphically embedded in \(F_ Z/\rho\). The problem in this approach lies in showing that the inclusion is proper, which the author proves after a difficult word argument.