Related papers: Colourings and the Alexander Polynomial

In this paper, we discuss twisted Alexander polynomials of a knot for group extensions of a finite group in two directions. Firstly, we provide a mod $p$ formula for the twisted Alexander polynomial of a knot in the $3$-sphere associated…

Prime power fold cyclic branched covers along smoothly slice knots all bound rational homology balls. This phenomenon, however, does not characterize slice knots. In this paper, we give a new construction of non-slice knots that have the…

A quandle is an algebra whose axioms are motivated from knot theory. A linear extension of a quandle can be described by using a pair of maps called an Alexander pair. In this paper, we show that a linear extension of a multiple conjugation…

We introduce and solve a two-matrix model for the tri-coloring problem of the vertices of a random triangulation. We present three different solutions: (i) by orthogonal polynomial techniques (ii) by use of a discrete Hirota bilinear…

For a fibered knot in the 3-sphere the twisted Alexander polynomial associated to an SL(2,C)-character is known to be monic. It is conjectured that for a nonfibered knot there is a curve component of the SL(2,C)-character variety containing…

We show, without using the Four Color Theorem, that for each planar triangulation, the number of its proper vertex colorings by 4 colors is a determinant and thus can be calculated in a polynomial time. In particular, we can efficiently…

The list of knots with up to 10 crossings is commonly referred to as the Rolfsen Table. This paper presents a way to generate the Rolfsen table in a simple, clear, and reproducible manner. The methods we use are similar to those used by J.…

We introduce two new families of polynomial invariants of oriented classical and virtual knots and links defined as decategorfications of the quandle coloring quiver. We provide examples to illustrate the computation of the invariants, show…

In the Coloured Clustering problem, we wish to colour vertices of an edge coloured graph to produce as many stable edges as possible, i.e., edges with the same colour as their ends. In this paper, we reveal that the problem is in fact a…

We calculate the twisted Alexander polynomials of all tunnel number one Montesinos knots associated to their $SL_2(\mathbb{C})$-representations and obtain their leading coefficients and degrees. As a corollary, we get some interesting…

We call a knot $K$ a complete Alexander neighbor if every possible Alexander polynomial is realized by a knot one crossing change away from $K$. It is unknown whether there exists a complete Alexander neighbor with nontrivial Alexander…

We consider the problem of the combinatorial computation of the first Chern class of a circle bundle. N.Mnev found such a formula in terms of canonical shellings. It represents certain invariant of a triangulation computed by analyzing…

We give a survey of some recent papers by the authors and Masaaki Wada relating the twisted Alexander polynomial with a partial order on the set of prime knots. We also give examples and pose open problems.

Two finite Alexander quandles with the same number of elements are isomorphic iff their Z[t,t^-1]-submodules Im(1-t) are isomorphic as modules. This yields specific conditions on when Alexander quandles of the form Z_n[t,t^-1]/(t-a) where…

Relations will be described between the quandle cocycle invariant and the minimal number of colors used for non-trivial Fox colorings of knots and links. In particular, a lower bound for the minimal number is given in terms of the quandle…

In this paper, a regional knot invariant is constructed. Like the Wirtinger presentation of a knot group, each planar region contributes a generator, and each crossing contributes a relation. The invariant is call a tridle of the link. As…

Motivated by an observation of Dehornoy, we study the roots of Alexander polynomials of knots and links that are closures of positive 3-strand braids. We give experimental data on random such braids and find that the roots exhibit marked…

Let $K$ be a prime knot in $S^3$ and $G(K)=\pi_1(S^3-K)$ the knot group. We write $K_1 \geq K_2$ if there exists a surjective homomorphism from $G(K_1)$ onto $G(K_2)$. In this paper, we determine this partial order on the set of prime knots…

We construct new knot polynomials. Let $V$ be the standard solid torus in 3-space and let $pr$ be its standard projection onto an annulus. Let $M$ be the space of all smooth oriented knots in $V$ such that the restriction of $pr$ is an…

A simple multivariable version of the reduced Burau matrix is constructed for any braid. It is shown how the multivariable Alexander polynomial for the closure of the braid can be found directly from this matrix.