The modular representation theory of monoids

Abstract: This paper develops the fundamentals of modular representation theory for finite monoids, introducing the decomposition matrix and exploring its connection to Brauer characters. We define modular characteristic and explain how the representation theory in nonmodular positive characteristic behaves like the characteristic zero theory by showing that one can lift from nonmodular characteristic $p$ all simple and projective indecomposable modules, as well as a quiver presentation of the basic algebra. As an application of the theory developed, we give a new proof of Glover's theorem that the monoid of $2\times 2$-matrices over $\mathbb F_p$ has infinite representation type over fields of characteristic $p$. We also investigate the relationship between nonsingularity of the Cartan matrix of a monoid algebra in characterstic zero and in positive characteristic. We show that for von Neumann regular monoids the Cartan matrix is always nonsingular and we show that if a monoid has aperiodic left (or right) stabilizers, then nonsingularity in characteristic zero implies nonsingularity in positive characteristic. Florian Eisele has recently shown that the Cartan matrix of a monoid algebra can be nonsingular in characteristic zero and singular in positive characteristic, disproving a conjecture of the author in an earlier version of this paper. A new conjecture is proposed, unifying the cases of regular monoids and monoids with aperiodic stabilizers.