Deciding finiteness for matrix semigroups over function fields over finite fields. A note on a paper by Rockmore, Tan, and Beals (Q5951487)

Let \(F\) be a finite field, \(K\) an extension field of \(F\), and \(M_n(K)\) the full matrix ring consisting of all \(n\times n\) matrices over \(K\). Let \(S\) be the multiplicative subsemigroup of \(M_n(K)\) generated by \(a_1,\dots,a_s\). \textit{D. N. Rockmore, K. Tan} and \textit{R. Beals} [Isr. J. Math. 109, 93-116 (1999; Zbl 0932.20051)] proved that \(S\) is finite if and only if the \(F\)-subalgebra \(A\) of \(M_n(K)\) generated by \(a_1,\dots,a_s\) is finite, and gave a sharp exponential upper bound on \(\dim_FA\). The author improves the above result by calculating the Jacobson radical of \(KA\).