On Definably Compact Semigroups in o-Minimal Structures

Abstract

In this paper, we study definably compact semigroups in o-minimal structures, aiming to extend the theory of definable groups to a broader algebraic setting. We show that any definably compact semigroup contains idempotents and admits a unique minimal ideal as well as minimal left and right ideals, all of which are definable and definably compact. We prove that cancellativity characterizes definable groups among definably compact semigroups, and that any definably compact subsemigroup of a definable group is itself a subgroup. In the completely simple case, we classify definable subsemigroups via a definable Rees matrix decomposition and analyse when results from the theory of definable groups extend to this setting.