Generators of matrix monoids over commutative semirings

Abstract

We determine minimal generating sets for matrix monoids over semirings and semifields. In particular, we produce minimal generating sets for the monoids of upper triangular and unitriangular matrices over a commutative semiring. We construct minimal and irredundant generating sets for the monoids of 2 × 2 and 3 × 3 matrices over the tropical integers, showing that M3(Zmax) is not finitely generated.