English

Knotted 4-regular graphs: polynomial invariants and the Pachner moves

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology 2023-02-09 v2 Mathematical Physics math.MP

Abstract

In loop quantum gravity, states of quantum geometry are represented by classes of knotted graphs, equivalent under diffeomorphisms. Thus, it is worthwhile to enumerate and distinguish these classes. This paper looks at the case of 4-regular graphs, which have an interpretation as objects dual to triangulations of three-dimensional manifolds. Two different polynomial invariants are developed to characterize these graphs -- one inspired by the Kauffman bracket relations, and the other based on quandles. How the latter invariant changes under the Pachner moves acting on the graphs is then studied.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2206.05816,
  title  = {Knotted 4-regular graphs: polynomial invariants and the Pachner moves},
  author = {Daniel Cartin},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2206.05816},
  year   = {2023}
}

Comments

25 pages; 27 figures; corrected both skein relation (1b) in Section IV and discussion after Table I, with no change in the conclusions