Natural dualities for semilattice-based algebras

Abstract.

While every finite lattice-based algebra is dualisable, the same is not true of semilattice-based algebras. We show that a finite semilattice-based algebra is dualisable if all its operations are compatible with the semilattice operation. We also give examples of infinite semilattice-based algebras that are dualisable. In contrast, we present a general condition that guarantees the inherent non-dualisability of a finite semilattice-based algebra. We combine our results to characterise dualisability amongst the finite algebras in the classes of flat extensions of partial algebras and closure semilattices. Throughout, we emphasise the connection between the dualisability of an algebra and the residual character of the variety it generates.