On the growth of generating sets for direct powers of semigroups. (Q415538)

Let us consider a semigroup \(S\). Then the \(\mathbf d\)-sequence of \(S\) is defined by \[ \mathbf d(S)=(d_1,d_2,d_3,\dots), \] where each \(d_i\) represents the smallest number of elements needed to generate the \(i\)-th direct power of \(S\). This paper deals with some important problems by considering \(\mathbf d(S)\). Some of the obtained results are listed in the following: For a finite semigroup \(S\), 1) If \(S\) is trivial then \(\mathbf d(S)=(1,1,1,\dots)\). 2) If \(S\) is a non-trivial perfect group then \(\mathbf d(S)\) grows logarithmically. 3) If \(S\) is a monoid which is not a perfect group then \(\mathbf d(S)\) grows linearly. 4) If \(S\) is not a monoid then \(\mathbf d(S)\) grows exponentially. For an infinite group \(S\), 5) If \(S\) is an infinite simple group then \(\mathbf d(S)\) is eventually constant. 6) If \(S\) is an infinite perfect group then \(\mathbf d(S)\) is bounded above by a logarithmic function. 7) If \(S\) is an infinite non-perfect group then \(\mathbf d(S)\) grows linearly. There exists an infinite non-group monoid \(S\) such that \(\mathbf d(S)\) is both constant and logarithmic. If \(S\) is any monoid the sequence \(\mathbf d(S)\) is bounded above by a linear function. There exists an infinite semigroup \(S\) without identity such that \(\mathbf d(S)\) is eventually constant, logarithmic and linear.