A non-finitely based involution semigroup of order five (Q2182572)

The paper starts with a framing of the problem to consider. An algebra is finitely based if the identities it satisfies are finitely axiomatizable. Finite groups [\textit{S. Oates} and \textit{M. B. Powell}, J. Algebra 1, 11--39 (1964; Zbl 0121.27202)], finite associative rings [\textit{R. L. Kruse}, J. Algebra 26, 298--318 (1973; Zbl 0276.16014); \textit{I. V. L'vov}, Algebra Logic 12, 150--167 (1974; Zbl 0288.16008); translation from Algebra Logika 12, 269--297 (1973)], and finite lattices [\textit{R. McKenzie}, Math. Scand. 27, 24--38 (1970; Zbl 0307.08001)] are finitely based, but not all finite algebras are finitely based. In particular, the Brandt monoid is a non-finitely based semigroup of order six [\textit{P. Perkins}, J. Algebra 11, 298--314 (1969; Zbl 0186.03401)], while every semigroup of order less or equal to five is finitely based [\textit{E. W. H. Lee} et al., Semigroup Forum 85, No. 3, 577--580 (2012; Zbl 1262.20061)]. When looking at finite involution semigroups $(S,^*)$, one may find examples that are finitely based with $S$ non-finitely based [\textit{E. W. H. Lee}, Quaest. Math. 39, No. 2, 217--243 (2016; Zbl 1436.20110)], and examples that are non-finitely based with $S$ finitely based [\textit{M. Jackson} and \textit{M. Volkov}, Lect. Notes Comput. Sci. 6300, 414--443 (2010; Zbl 1287.08010); \textit{E. W. H. Lee}, Korean J. Math. 27, No. 1, 53--62 (2019; Zbl 1450.20016)]. Every involution semigroup $(S,^*)$ of order less or equal to three is finitely based (with $S$ also finitely based, as mentioned above). The smallest example of an involution semigroup $(S,^*)$ which is finitely based with $S$ non-finitely based has order six [\textit{E. W. H. Lee}, Electron. Res. Announc. Math. Sci. 24, 10--20 (2017; Zbl 1401.20068)]. Up to now, the smallest non-finitely based $(S,^*)$ with $S$ finitely based known had order eight [\textit{M. Gao} et al., Semigroup Forum 100, No. 1, 153--168 (2020; Zbl 1467.20049); \textit{W. T. Zhang} et al., Bull. Aust. Math. Soc. 86, No. 1, 64--77 (2012; Zbl 1260.20076); \textit{W. T. Zhang} and \textit{Y. F. Luo}, Bull. Aust. Math. Soc. 101, No. 1, 88--104 (2020; Zbl 1480.20128); \textit{W. T. Zhang} et al., Algebra Univers. 81, No. 1, Paper No. 7, 23 p. (2020; Zbl 1477.20104)]. The authors sought to exhibit an even smaller example. The semigroup $A_0^1$, obtained by adjoining an identity to the semigroup $A_0 =\langle e, f \mid e^2 = e, f^2 = f, ef = 0\rangle$, having order five is finitely based [\textit{C. C. Edmunds}, Semigroup Forum 15, 21--39 (1977; Zbl 0375.20057)]. Considering the involution given by $0^*=0$, $1^*=1$, $(fe)^*=fe$, $e^*=f$ and $f^*=e$, it is shown that the involution semigroup $(A_0^1,^*)$ is non-finitely based. This is proved in the last section of the paper, using the criteria provided by Theorem 3.1. Two natural questions are left open by the authors: are all the involution semigroups of order four finitely based? Is there a non-finitely based involution semigroup of order five different from $(A_0^1,^*)$?