Related papers: The $L^2$-Alexander invariant detects the unknot
We describe an alternative way of computing Alexander polynomials of knots/links, based on the Artin representation of the corresponding braids by automorphisms of a free group. Then we apply the same method to other representations of…
Torus knots are an important family of knots about which much is understood; invariants of torus knots often exhibit nice formulas, making them convenient and fundamental building blocks for examples in knot theory. Spiral knots, defined…
The augmentation variety of a knot is the locus, in the 3-dimensional coefficient space of the knot contact homology dg-algebra, where the algebra admits a unital chain map to the complex numbers. We explain how to express the Alexander…
In this paper we construct new invariants of knotoids including the odd writhe, the parity bracket polynomial, the affine index polynomial and the arrow polynomial, and give an introduction to the theory of virtual knotoids. The invariants…
We prove that a knot is the unknot if and only if its reduced Khovanov cohomology has rank 1. The proof has two steps. We show first that there is a spectral sequence beginning with the reduced Khovanov cohomology and abutting to a knot…
Although most knots are nonalternating, modern research in knot theory seems to focus on alternating knots. We consider here nonalternating knots and their properties. Specifically, we show certain classes of knots have nontrivial Jones…
It is well known that for $m\geq 2$ there are at most two non-equivalent $m$-knots with diffeomorphic exterior. Such pair of knots will be called $\textit{ non-reflexive knot pair}$. A classical problem in topology is to determine all…
This article provides an overview of relative strengths of polynomial invariants of knots and links, such as the Alexander, Jones, Homflypt, Kaufman two-variable polynomial, and Khovanov polynomial.
Murasugi discovered two criteria that must be satisfied by the Alexander polynomial of a periodic knot. We generalize these to the case of twisted Alexander polynomials. Examples demonstrate the application of these new criteria, including…
In this paper we investigate the Alexander polynomial of (1,1)-knots, which are knots lying in a 3-manifold with genus one at most, admitting a particular decomposition. More precisely, we study the connections between the Alexander…
We prove the cosmetic crossing conjecture for genus one knots with non-trivial Alexander polynomial. We also prove the conjecture for genus one knots with trivial Alexander polynomial, under some additional assumptions.
We give infinitely many $2$-component links with unknotted components which are topologically concordant to the Hopf link, but not smoothly concordant to any $2$-component link with trivial Alexander polynomial. Our examples are pairwise…
This is a short review article on invariants of spatial graphs, written for "A Concise Encyclopedia of Knot Theory" (ed. Adams et. al.). The emphasis is on combinatorial and polynomial invariants of spatial graphs, including the Alexander…
Quandles with good involutions, which are called symmetric quandles, can be used to define invariants of unoriented knots and links. In this paper, we determine the necessary and sufficient condition for good involutions of a generalized…
We generalize the notion of the quandle polynomial to the case of singquandles. We show that the singquandle polynomial is an invariant of finite singquandles. We also construct a singular link invariant from the singquandle polynomial and…
Let $K\subset S^3$ be a knot, $X:= S^3\setminus K$ its complement, and $\mathbb{T}$ the circle group identified with $\mathbb{R}/\mathbb{Z}$. To any oriented long knot diagram of $K$, we associate a quadratic polynomial in variables…
We introduce a version of the Alexander polynomial for singular knots and tangles and show how it can be strengthened considerably by introducing a perturbation. For singular long knots, we also prove that our Alexander polynomial agrees…
Conformally invariant functionals on the space of knots are introduced via extrinsic conformal geometry of the knot and integral geometry on the space of spheres. Our functionals are expressed in terms of a complex-valued 2-form which can…
The following criterion is proved in this paper. If the Alexander polynomial of a knot $K\subset S^3$ has a zero of odd order on the complex unit circle, then there exists a continuous family of irreducible representations…
It is shown that for knots with a sufficiently regular character variety the Dubois' torsion detects the A-polynomial of the knot. A global formula for the integral of the Dubois torsion is given. The formula looks like the heat kernel…