Semigroups with finitely generated universal left congruence (Q2332955)

Let \(S\) be a semigroup with \(\omega_S^{\ell}\) being finitely generated (\(\omega_S^{\ell}\) -- the universal left congruence on \(S\)). A number of general properties for such \(\omega_S^{\ell}\) are derived. For example, \(\omega_{S\ast T}^{\ell}\) is finitely generated if and only if \(\omega_S^{\ell}\) and \(\omega_T^{\ell}\) are finitely generated (\(S\ast T\) -- the free product of \(S\) and \(T\)). The authors find conditions for \(\omega^{\ell}\) being finitely generated for semigroups of a number of classes, such as strong semilattices of semigroups, inverse semigroups, Rees matrix semigroups (over a semigroup or a group), and completely regular semigroups. For example, if \(S\) is an inverse semigroup, then \(\omega_S^{\ell}\) is finitely generated if and only if 1) there is a finite set \(U\subseteq E(S)\) such that for every \(e\in E(S)\), \(e\leq u\) for some \(u\in U\) and 2) there is a finitely generated inverse subsemigroup \(W\) of \(S\) such that for all \(a\in S\) and \(e\in E(W)\), there exists \(w\in W\) with \(aw=ew^{-1}w\). Let now \(S\) be a semigroup with \(\omega_S^{\ell}\) being generated by \(A\subseteq S^2\), where \(A\) is finite. \(S\) is called \textit{pseudo-finite with respect to \(A\)} if there exists \(n\in \mathbb N\) such that for any \(a,b\in S\), either \(a=b\) or there exists \(k\leq n\) and a sequence \(a=t_1c_1, t_1d_1=t_2c_2, \ldots, t_kd_k=b\) where \(t_i\in S^1\) and \((c_i,d_i)\in A\cup A^{-1}\) for all \(1\leq i\leq k\). A semigroup \(S\) is \textit{pseudo-finite} if it is pseudo-finite with respect to some finite \(A\subseteq S^2\). Pseudo-finite semigroups are described in some classes of semigroups. For example, an inverse semigroup \(S\) is pseudo-finite if and only if there is a finite set \(U\subseteq E(S)\) such that for every \(f\in E(S)\), \(f\leq u\) for some \(u\in U\); \(E(S)\) has a least element \(e\), and the group \(\mathcal H\)-class \(H_e\) is finite.