Subdirectly irreducible Ockham chains (Q1866825)

An Ockham algebra \(L\) is a bounded distributive lattice together with a dual endomorphism \(f:L\rightarrow L\) [see \textit{T. S. Blyth} and \textit{J. C. Varlet}, Ockham algebras, Oxford University Press, Oxford (1994; Zbl 0835.06011)]. The generalized variety \({\mathbf K}_{\omega }\) of Ockham algebras is defined by \[ (L,f)\in {\mathbf K}_{\omega } \Leftrightarrow \;(\forall x\in L)(\exists m,n\in \mathbb N)(m\neq 0) f^{m+n}(x)=f^n(x). \] This generalized variety contains all Berman classes \({\mathbf K}_{p,q}\) obtained by imposing the restriction \(f^{2p+q} =f^q\) in each one in which there are finitely many finite subdirect irreducibles [\textit{J. Berman}, Aequationes Math. 16, 165-171 (1977; Zbl 0395.06007)]. In the paper it is shown that every subdirectly irreducible Ockham chain belongs to the generalized variety \({\mathbf K}_{\omega }\) and is countable. Consideration of three particular types of finite Ockham chains, together with their order duals, leads to a determination of all finite SI Ockham chains, namely those belonging to the Berman classes \({\mathbf K}_{1,q}\), and it is proved that there are exactly \(6q+2\) such chains in \({\mathbf K}_{1,q}.\) Finally, it is shown that there are precisely 14 SI Ockham chains whose endomorphism semigroup is regular, such chains having at most 5 elements.