On finite-dimensional representations of compact inverse semigroups (Q2447243)

To state the main result in this paper, we first recall some necessary definitions. Recall that an inverse semigroup is a semigroup \(S\) in which every element \(s\in S\) has a unique element \(s^*\) with the following properties: \(ss^*s=s\) and \(s^*ss^*=s^*\). A compact inverse semigroup is an inverse semigroup with a compact Hausdorff topology such that the multiplication and inversion maps are continuous. Let \(E(S)\) be the set of idempotents of an inverse semigroup \(S\). A finite-dimensional representation \(\pi\) of a compact inverse semigroup \(S\) is a continuous homomorphism \(\pi\) of \(S\) into the semigroup of \(n\times n\) complex matrices for some \(n\in \mathbb{N}\). A representation \(\pi\) is called \(*\)-representation, when \(\pi(s)^*=\pi(s^*)\). Finally note that a representation \(\pi\) is called non-degenerate if \(\pi(e)v=0\) for all \(e\in E(S)\) implies \(v=0\), or equivalently \(\pi(s)v=0\) for all \(s\in S\) implies \(v=0\). \textit{W. D. Munn} in [J. Lond. Math. Soc., II. Ser. 18, 75--80 (1978; Zbl 0414.20055)] proved that a finite-dimensional representation of an inverse semigroup is equivalent to a \(*\)-representation if and only if it is bounded. In the paper under review, the authors present a new proof for a weaker version of this result. This proof is analytic and has its own advantages. In fact, they prove that every finite-dimensional representation of a compact inverse semigroup is equivalent to a \(*\)-representation.