Related papers: A new unknotting operation for classical and welde…
The present paper is a review of the current state of Graph-Link Theory (graph-links are also closely related to homotopy classes of looped interlacement graphs), dealing with a generalisation of knots obtained by translating the…
We introduce natural language processing into the study of knot theory, as made natural by the braid word representation of knots. We study the UNKNOT problem of determining whether or not a given knot is the unknot. After describing an…
In this paper, we prove that given two cubical links of dimension two in ${\mathbb R}^4$, they are isotopic if and only if one can pass from one to the other by a finite sequence of cubulated moves. These moves are analogous to the…
In this paper, we prove than given two cubic knots $K_1$, $K_2$ in $\mathbb{R}^3$, they are isotopic if and only if one can pass from one to the other by a finite sequence of cubulated moves. These moves are analogous to the Reidemeister…
Boring is an operation which converts a knot or two-component link in a 3--manifold into another knot or two-component link. It generalizes rational tangle replacement and can be described as a type of 2--handle attachment. Sutured manifold…
The (ordinary) unknotting-number of 1-dimensional knots, which is defined by using the crossing-change, is a very basic and important invariant. It is very natural to consider the `unknotting-number' associated with other local-moves on…
We introduce a new combinatorial method to encode knots and links with applications to knot invariants. Clasp diagrams defined in this paper are combinatorial blueprints for building knot diagrams out of full twists on two strings rather…
Our main result is a version of Birman's theorem about equivalence of plats, which does not involve stabilization, for the unlink. We introduce the pocket and flip moves, which modify a plat without changing its link type or bridge index.…
The forbidden moves in virtual knot theory can be used to unknot any knot, virtual or classical; however, multi-component crossings in links can still survive, resulting a fused link. Using the forbidden moves, we categorify fused links…
We consider knot theories possessing a {\em parity}: each crossing is decreed {\em odd} or {\em even} according to some universal rule. If this rule satisfies some simple axioms concerning the behaviour under Reidemeister moves, this leads…
Given a virtual link diagram $D$, we define its unknotting index $U(D)$ to be minimum among $(m, n)$ tuples, where $m$ stands for the number of crossings virtualized and $n$ stands for the number of classical crossing changes, to obtain a…
A new type of knot energy is presented via real life experiments involving a thin resilient metallic tube. Knotted in different ways, the device mechanically acquires a uniquely determined (up to isometry) normal form at least when the…
A polynomial is presented that models a topological knot in a unique manner. It distinguishes all types of knots including the orientation and has a group theory interpretation. The topologies may be labeled via a number, which upon a base…
Region crossing change is a local transformation on a knot or link diagram. We show that a region crossing change on a knot diagram is an unknotting operation, and we define the region unknotting numbers for a knot diagram and a knot.
In this note we use Blanchfield forms to study knots that can be turned into an unknot using a single $\overline{t}_{2k}$ move.
We introduce an oriented rational band move, a generalization of an ordinary oriented band move, and show that if a knot $K$ in the three-sphere can be made into the $(n+1)$-component unlink by $n$ oriented rational band moves, then $K$ is…
We develop a reinforcement learning pipeline for simplifying knot diagrams. A trained agent learns move proposals and a value heuristic for navigating Reidemeister moves. The pipeline applies to arbitrary knots and links; we test it on…
A delta-move is a local move on a link diagram. The delta-Gordian distance between links measures the minimum number of delta-moves needed to move between link diagrams. A self delta-move only involves a single component of a link whereas a…
We present two practical and widely applicable methods, including some criteria and a general procedure, for detecting Brunnian property of a link, if each component is known to be unknot. The methods are based on observation and handwork.…
The surgery unknotting number of a Legendrian link is defined as the minimal number of particular oriented surgeries that are required to convert the link into a Legendrian unknot. Lower bounds for the surgery unknotting number are given in…