Comparability in the graph monoid

Abstract

Let $\Gamma$ be the infinite cyclic group on a generator $x.$ To avoid confusion when working with $\mathbb Z$-modules which also have an additional $\mathbb Z$-action, we consider the $\mathbb Z$-action to be a $\Gamma$-action instead. Starting from a directed graph $E$, one can define a cancellative commutative monoid $M_E^\Gamma$ with a $\Gamma$-action which agrees with the monoid structure and a natural order. The order and the action enable one to label each nonzero element as being exactly one of the following: comparable (periodic or aperiodic) or incomparable. We comprehensively pair up these element features with the graph-theoretic properties of the generators of the element. We also characterize graphs such that every element of $M_E^\Gamma$ is comparable, periodic, graphs such that every nonzero element of $M_E^\Gamma$ is aperiodic, incomparable, graphs such that no nonzero element of $M_E^\Gamma$ is periodic, and graphs such that no element of $M_E^\Gamma$ is aperiodic. The Graded Classification Conjecture can be formulated to state that $M_E^\Gamma$ is a complete invariant of the Leavitt path algebra $L_K(E)$ of $E$ over a field $K.$ Our characterizations indicate that the Graded Classification Conjecture may have a positive answer since the properties of $E$ are well reflected by the structure of $M_E^\Gamma.$ Our work also implies that some results of [R. Hazrat, H. Li, The talented monoid of a Leavitt path algebra, J. Algebra, 547 (2020) 430-455] hold without requiring the graph to be row-finite.