Related papers: An Unknotting Index for Virtual Links
For a virtual $n$-link $K$, we define a new virtual link $VD(K)$, which is invariant under virtual equivalence of $K$. The Dehn space of $VD(K)$, which we denote $DD(K)$, therefore has a homotopy type which is an invariant of $K$. We show…
Virtual knot theory is a generalization (discovered by the author in 1996) of knot theory to the study of all oriented Gauss codes. (Classical knot theory is a study of planar Gauss codes.) Graph theory studies non-planar graphs via…
Let $D$ be an oriented classical or virtual link diagram with directed universe $\vec{U}$. Let $C$ denote a set of directed Euler circuits, one in each connected component of $U$. There is then an associated looped interlacement graph…
We present a sequence of diagrams of the unknot for which the minimum number of Reidemeister moves required to pass to the trivial diagram is quadratic with respect to the number of crossings. These bounds apply both in $S^2$ and in $\R^2$.
This paper, to be regularly updated, lists those prime knots with the fewest possible number of crossings for which values of basic knot invariants, such as the unknotting number or the smooth 4-genus, are unknown. This list is being…
Twisted links are a generalization of virtual links. As virtual links correspond to abstract links on orientable surfaces, twisted links correspond to abstract links on (possibly non-orientable) surfaces. In this paper, we introduce the…
We will strengthen the known upper and lower bounds on the delta-crossing number of knots in therms of the triple-crossing number. The latter bound turns out to be strong enough to obtain (unknown values of) triple-crossing numbers for a…
The connected sum of two flat virtual knots depends on the choice of diagrams and basepoints. We show that any minimal crossing diagram of a composite flat virtual knot is a connected sum diagram. We also show the crossing number of flat…
The splitting number of a link is the minimum number of crossing changes between distinct components that is required to convert the link into a split link. We provide a bound on the splitting number in terms of the four-genus of related…
The $\Delta$-unknotting number for a knot is defined as the minimum number of $\Delta$-moves needed to deform the knot into the trivial knot. It is known that, for positive pretzel knots, the $\Delta$-unknotting number coincides with the…
It is known that the unknotting number $u(L)$ of a link $L$ is less than or equal to half the crossing number $c(L)$ of $L$. We show that there are a planar graph $G$ and its spatial embedding $f$ such that the unknotting number $u(f)$ of…
Pseudodiagrams are knot or link diagrams where some of the crossing information is missing. Pseudoknots are equivalence classes of pseudodiagrams, where equivalence is generated by a natural set of Reidemeister moves. In this paper, we…
Piecewise-linear virtual knots are discussed and classified up to edge index six.
A graph is called a $k$-planar unit distance graph if it can be drawn in the plane such that every edge is a unit line segment and is involved in at most $k$ crossings. We investigate $u_k(n)$, the maximum number of edges of such graphs on…
The warping degree of an oriented knot diagram is the minimal number of crossing changes which are required to obtain a monotone knot diagram from the diagram. The minimal warping degree of a knot is the minimal value of the warping degree…
Let $G$ be a finite, simple, and undirected graph of order $n$ and average degree $d$. Up to terms of smaller order, we characterize the minimal intervals $I$ containing $d$ that are guaranteed to contain some vertex degree. In particular,…
We enumerate and show tables of minimal diagrams for all prime knots up to the triple-crossing number equal to five. We derive a minimal generating set of oriented moves connecting triple-crossing diagrams of the same oriented knot. We also…
Using a new tool called lassos, we establish a new correspondence between cellular link {diagrams} on closed surfaces and equivalence classes of virtual link {diagrams}. This is analogous to a well-known correspondence among the links…
Cobordism of virtual string links on $n$ strands is a combinatorial generalization of link cobordism. There exists a bijection between virtual string links up to cobordisms and elements of the group $\mathbb{Z}^{n(n-1)}$. This paper also…
In this study of the Reidemeister moves within the classical knot theory, we focus on hard diagrams of knots and links, categorizing them as either rigid or shaky based on their adaptability to certain moves. We establish that every link…