\(A_n\)-normal semigroups (Q5931523)

Let \(S_n\) denote the symmetric group on an \(n\)-element set \(N\). Let \(S\) be a semigroup of transformations (total or partial) on \(N\) and let \(G_S\) denote the subgroup of \(S_n\) consisting of those permutations that preserve \(S\) under conjugation. For any subgroup \(G\) of \(S_n\), the semigroup \(S\) is said to be \(G\)-normal if \(G_S=G\). \textit{I. Levi} showed previously [Proc. Edinb. Math. Soc. 39, 27-30 (1996; Zbl 0853.20044)] that if \(n\geq 3\) and if all elements of \(S\) are total transformations and \(G_S\) contains the alternating group \(A_n\), then \(G_S=S_n\). In particular, no \(A_n\)-normal semigroup can consist entirely of total transformations. There are, however, \(A_n\)-normal semigroups of partial transformations and the description of these semigroups is the authors' objective. Let \(m<n\) and let \(F\), \(D\), and \(C\) denote those subsets of an \(A_n\)-normal semigroup \(S\) consisting of those elements of \(S\) which have rank greater than \(m\), equal to \(m\), and less than \(m\), respectively. The authors go on to describe the sets \(F\), \(D\), and \(C\) in considerable detail and the main result of the paper is that \(n\equiv 0\bmod 4\) and \(S\) is the union of such sets \(F\), \(D\), and \(C\). The authors point out that although most of the results used here to characterize the \(A_n\)-normal semigroups have appeared in previous papers, these papers do not contain an explicit description of these semigroups.