English

On the Maximum Number of Colors for Links

Geometric Topology 2013-02-25 v3

Abstract

For each odd prime p, and for each non-split link admitting non-trivial p-colorings, we prove that the maximum number of Fox colors is p. We also prove that we can assemble a non-trivial p-coloring with any number of colors, from the minimum to the maximum number of colors. Furthermore, for any rational link, we prove that there exists a non-trivial coloring of any Schubert Normal Form of it, modulo its determinant, which uses all colors available. If this determinant is an odd prime, then any non-trivial coloring of this Schubert Normal Form, modulo the determinant, uses all available colors. We prove also that the number of crossings in the Schubert Normal Form equals twice the determinant of the link minus 2. Facts about torus links and their coloring abilities are also proved.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1205.1467,
  title  = {On the Maximum Number of Colors for Links},
  author = {Slavik Jablan and Louis H. Kauffman and Pedro Lopes},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1205.1467},
  year   = {2013}
}

Comments

Version accepted for publication in JKTR