Related papers: Knottedness is in NP, modulo GRH

We establish a connection between knot theory and cluster algebras via representation theory. To every knot diagram (or link diagram), we associate a cluster algebra by constructing a quiver with potential. The rank of the cluster algebra…

Kashaev and Reshetikhin previously described a way to define holonomy invariants of knots using quantum $\mathfrak{sl}_2$ at a root of unity. These are generalized quantum invariants depend both on a knot $K$ and a representation of the…

For each sequence of polynomials, P=(p_1(t),p_2(t),...), we define a characteristic series of groups, called the derived series localized at P. Given a knot K in S^3, such a sequence of polynomials arises naturally as the orders of certain…

Given a graph G, we investigate the question of determining the parity of the number of homomorphisms from G to some other fixed graph H. We conjecture that this problem exhibits a complexity dichotomy, such that all parity graph…

In a group, a non-trivial element is called a generalized torsion element if some non-empty finite product of its conjugates equals to the identity. We say that a knot has generalized torsion if its knot group admits such an element. For a…

Properties of graphs that can be characterized by the spectrum of the adjacency matrix of the graph have been studied systematically recently. Motivated by the complexity of these properties, we show that there are such properties for which…

In this thesis, we prove several results concerning field-theoretic invariants of knots and 3-manifolds. In Chapter 2, for any knot $K$ in a closed, oriented 3-manifold $M$, we use $SU(2)$ representation spaces and the Lagrangian field…

Let G be a graph and let N_1, ..., N_k be k independent sets in G. The graph G is a k-probe cograph if G can be embedded into a cograph by adding edges between vertices that are contained in the same independent set. We show that there…

The ropelength problem asks for the minimum-length configuration of a knotted diameter-one tube embedded in Euclidean three-space. The core curve of such a tube is called a tight knot, and its length is a knot invariant measuring…

We define a set of "second-order" L^(2)-signature invariants for any algebraically slice knot. These obstruct a knot's being a slice knot and generalize Casson-Gordon invariants, which we consider to be "first-order signatures". As one…

Numerical simulations indicate that there exist conformations of the unknot, tied on a finite piece of rope, entangled in such a manner, that they cannot be disentangled to the torus conformation without cutting the rope. The simplest…

The notion of Turing kernelization investigates whether a polynomial-time algorithm can solve an NP-hard problem, when it is aided by an oracle that can be queried for the answers to bounded-size subproblems. One of the main open problems…

In this paper we examine the relative knotting probabilities in a lattice model of ring polymers confined in a cavity. The model is of a lattice knot of size $n$ in the cubic lattice, confined to a cube of side-length $L$ and with volume…

A knot k in a closed orientable 3-manifold is called nonsimple if the exterior of k possesses a properly embedded essential surface of nonnegative Euler characteristic. We show that if k is a nonsimple prime tunnel number one knot in a lens…

Let $P(K)$ be a satellite knot where the pattern, $P$, is a Berge-Gabai knot (i.e., a knot in the solid torus with a non-trivial solid torus Dehn surgery), and the companion, $K$, is a non-trivial knot in $S^3$. We prove that $P(K)$ is an…

A connected graph has a $(k,\ell)$-cover if each of its edges is contained in at least $\ell$ cliques of order $k$. Motivated by recent advances in extremal combinatorics and the literature on edge modification problems, we study the…

We define homotopy-theoretic invariants of knots in prime 3-manifolds. Fix a knot J in a prime 3-manifold M. Call a knot K in M concordant to J if it cobounds a properly embedded annulus with J in MxI, and call K J-characteristic if there…

In \cite{Kim} it is shown that knots in $S_{g} \times S^{1}$ can be presented by virtual diagrams with a decoration, so called, {\em double lines}. In this paper, we study the essential diagram for each knot in $S_{g} \times S^{1}$, which…

We showed that the order of torsion homology classes in the grid homology of a knot is a lower bound for the unknotting number.

We take a close look at a classical magic trick performed with a string, where a trivial knot is seemingly isotoped into a trefoil, and generalize it to a family of magic tricks for transforming the unknot into other knots. We encode such a…