Integrality of matrices, finiteness of matrix semigroups, and dynamics of linear and additive cellular automata

arXiv1907.08565MaRDI QIDQ6322374FDOQ6322374

Authors: Alberto Dennunzio, Enrico Formenti, Darij Grinberg, Luciano Margara 

Publication date: 19 July 2019

Abstract: Let $mathbbK$ be a finite commutative ring, and let $mathbbL$ be a commutative $mathbbK$-algebra. Let $A$ and $B$ be two $nimesn$-matrices over $mathbbL$ that have the same characteristic polynomial. The main result of this paper states that the set $left{A}^0,A^1,A^2,ldotsight$ is finite if and only if the set $left{B}^0,B^1,B^2,ldotsight$ is finite. We apply this result to Cellular Automata (CA). Indeed, it gives a complete and easy-to-check characterization of sensitivity to initial conditions and equicontinuity for linear CA over the alphabet $mathbb{K}^n$ for $mathbbK=mathbbZ/mmathbbZ$ i.e., CA in which the local rule is defined by $nimesn$-matrices with elements in $mathbbZ/mmathbbZ$. To prove our main result, we derive an integrality criterion for matrices that is likely of independent interest. Namely, let $mathbbK$ be any commutative ring (not necessarily finite), and let $mathbbL$ be a commutative $mathbbK$-algebra. Consider any $nimesn$-matrix $A$ over $mathbbL$. Then, $Ainmathbb{L}^{nimesn}$ is integral over $mathbbK$ (that is, there exists a monic polynomial $finmathbbKleft[tight]$ satisfying $fleft(Aight)=0$) if and only if all coefficients of the characteristic polynomial of $A$ are integral over $mathbbK$. The proof of this fact relies on a strategic use of exterior powers (a trick pioneered by Gert Almkvist). Furthermore, we extend the decidability result concerning sensitivity and equicontinuity to the wider class of additive CA over a finite abelian group. For such CA, we also prove the decidability of injectivity, surjectivity, topological transitivity and all the properties (as, for instance, ergodicity) that are equivalent to the latter.

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