Related papers: Linking number and folded ribbon unknots

Negami found an upper bound on the stick number $s(K)$ of a nontrivial knot $K$ in terms of the minimal crossing number $c(K)$ of the knot which is $s(K) \leq 2 c(K)$. Furthermore McCabe proved $s(K) \leq c(K) + 3$ for a $2$-bridge knot or…

We prove the fractal crumpled structure of collapsed unknotted polymer ring. In this state the polymer chain forms a system of densely packed folds, mutually separated in all scales. The proof is based on the numerical and analytical…

The ropelength of a knot is the minimum length required to tie it. Computational upper bounds have previously been computed for every prime knot with up to 11 crossings. Here, we present ropelength measurements for the 2176 knots with 12…

The theory of tunnel number 1 knots detailed in our previous paper, The tree of knot tunnels, provides a non-negative integer invariant called the depth of the tunnel. We give various results related to the depth invariant. Noting that it…

We compute the Kauffman bracket skein module of the complement of a twist knot, finding that it is free and infinite dimensional. The basis consists of cables of a two-component link, one component of which is a meridian of the knot. The…

This paper studies the linking numbers of random links within the grid model. The linking number is treated as a random variable on the isotopy classes of 2-component links, with the paper exploring its asymptotic growth as the diagram size…

Building on work by Alishahi-Dowlin, we extract a new knot invariant $\lambda \ge 0$ from universal Khovanov homology. While $\lambda$ is a lower bound for the unknotting number, in fact more is true: $\lambda$ is a lower bound for the…

We prove that any $11$-colorable knot is presented by an $11$-colored diagram where exactly five colors of eleven are assigned to the arcs. The number five is the minimum for all non-trivially $11$-colored diagrams of the knot. We also…

The $T$-genus of a knot is the minimal number of borromean-type triple points on a normal singular disk with no clasp bounded by the knot; it is an upper bound for the slice genus. Kawauchi, Shibuya and Suzuki characterized the slice knots…

We prove a lower bound on the ribbon distance via Bar-Natan Homology. This lower bound agrees with Alishahi's lower bound on the unknotting number via Bar-Natan Homology, which furthers a pattern first observed by Sarkar: Sarkar's lower…

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 slicing degree of a knot $K$ is defined as the smallest integer $k$ such that $K$ is $k$-slice in $\#^n \overline{\mathbb{CP}^2}$ for some $n$. In this paper, we establish bounds for the slicing degrees of knots using Rasmussen's…

In the note we study Legendrian and transverse knots in rationally null-homologous knot types. In particular we generalize the standard definitions of self-linking number, Thurston-Bennequin invariant and rotation number. We then prove a…

First, we consider order-$n$ ribbon tilings of an $M$-by-$N$ rectangle $R_{M,N}$ where $M$ and $N$ are much larger than $n$. We prove the existence of the growth rate $\gamma_n$ of the number of tilings and show that $\gamma_n \leq (n-1)…

Minimum braids are a complete invariant of knots and links. This paper defines minimum braids, describes how they can be generated, presents tables for knots up to ten crossings and oriented links up to nine crossings, and uses minimum…

We model proteins with intramolecular bonds, such as disulfide bridges, using the concept of bonded knots -- closed loops in three-dimensional space equipped with additional bonds that connect different segments of the knot. We extend the…

Twisted torus knots and links are given by twisting adjacent strands of a torus link. They are geometrically simple and contain many examples of the smallest volume hyperbolic knots. Many are also Lorenz links. We study the geometry of…

Ribbon concordances between knots generalize the notion of ribbon knots. Agol, building on work of Gordon, proved ribbon concordance gives a partial order on knots in $S^3$. In previous work, the author and Greene conjectured that positive…

In this note, we attempt to find counterexamples to the conjecture that the ideal form of a knot, that which minimizes its contour length while respecting a no-overlap constraint, also minimizes the volume of the knot, as determined by its…

In this note, we prove a lower bound for the positive kinkiness of a closed braid which we then use to derive an estimate for the positive kinkiness of a link in terms of its Seifert system. As an application, we show that certain pretzel…