Restrictions on local embeddability into finite semigroups

Abstract

In this paper the concept of local embeddability into finite structures (being LEF) for the class of semigroups is expanded with investigations of non-LEF structures, a closely related generalising property of local wrapping of finite structures (being LWF) and inverse semigroups. The established results include a description of a family of non-LEF semigroups unifying the bicyclic monoid and Baumslag--Solitar groups and establishing that inverse LWF semigroups with finite number of idempotents are LEF.