The finite basis problem for the monoid of 2 by 2 upper triangular tropical matrices

Abstract

For each positive $n$, let $u_n = v_n$ denote the identity obtained from the Adjan identity $(xy) (yx) (xy) (xy) (yx) = (xy) (yx) (yx) (xy) (yx)$ by substituting $(xy) \rightarrow (x_1 x_2 \dots x_n)$ and $(yx) \rightarrow (x_n \dots x_2 x_1)$. We show that every monoid which satisfies $u_n = v_n$ for each positive $n$ and generates the variety containing the bicyclic monoid is nonfinitely based. This implies that the monoid of 2 by 2 upper triangular tropical matrices over the tropical semiring is nonfinitely based.