Regular congruences on an \(E\)-inversive semigroup. (Q2480768)

By a `regular' congruence on an \(E\)-inversive semigroup \(S\), the authors mean (in contrast to the usual definition) a congruence \(\rho\) for which for each \(a\in S\) there exists a weak inverse \(a'\) of \(a\) such that \(a\rho aa'a\). For such a congruence \(\rho\), the quotient \(S/\rho\) is necessarily a regular semigroup but the converse is not true unless \(S\) is eventually regular. It is shown that each such congruence is determined by its kernel and trace. Moreover, an abstract characterization is given of when a pair \((K,\tau)\) consists of the kernel and the trace of a regular congruence (generalising a classical result of Pastijn and Petrich). An analogous result is obtained for so-called kernel normal systems.