Related papers: A note on the recursive computation of the bracket…
This article introduces a natural extension of colouring numbers of knots, called colouring polynomials, and studies their relationship to Yang-Baxter invariants and quandle 2-cocycle invariants. For a knot K in the 3-sphere let \pi_K be…
We show that if a classical knot diagram satisfies a certain combinatorial condition then it is minimal with respect to the number of classical crossings. This statement is proved by using the Kauffman bracket and the construction of atoms…
A string link S can be closed in a canonical way to produce an ordinary closed link L. We also consider a twisted closing which produces a knot K. We give a formula for the Conway polynomial of L as a product of the Conway polynomial of K…
We use planar 4-valent graphs and a graphical calculus involving such graphs to construct an invariant for balanced-oriented, knotted 4-valent graphs. Our invariant is an extension of the $sl(n)$ polynomial for classical knots and links. We…
The fundamental group $\pi_1(L)$ of a knot or link $L$ may be used to generate magic states appropriate for performing universal quantum computation and simultaneously for retrieving complete information about the processed quantum states.…
We address the question: Does there exist a non-trivial knot with a trivial Jones polynomial? To find such a knot, it is almost certainly sufficient to find a non-trivial braid on four strands in the kernel of the Burau representation. I…
Consider a dihedral cover $f: Y\to X$ with $X$ and $Y$ four-manifolds and $f$ branched along an oriented surface embedded in $X$ with isolated cone singularities. We prove that only a slice knot can arise as the unique singularity on an…
Let $\mathbb F_{q^2}$ be the finite field with $q^2$ elements. We provide a simple and effective method, using reciprocal polynomials, for the construction of algebraic curves over $\mathbb F_{q^2}$ with many rational points. The curves…
We construct a state model for the two-variable Kauffman polynomial using planar trivalent graphs. We also use this model to obtain a polynomial invariant for a certain type of trivalent graphs embedded in three-dimensional space.
We use the Blanchfield form to obtain a lower bound on the equivariant slice genus of a strongly invertible knot. For our main application, let $K$ be a genus one strongly invertible slice knot with nontrivial Alexander polynomial. We show…
This paper starts a systematic description of colored knot polynomials, beginning from the first non-(anti)symmetric representation R=[2,1]. The project involves several steps: (i) parametrization of big families of knots a la…
The topological underpinnings are presented for a new algorithm which answers the question: `Is a given knot the unknot?' The algorithm uses the braid foliation technology of Bennequin and of Birman and Menasco. The approach is to consider…
We present the strongest known knot invariant that can be computed effectively (in polynomial time).
State-sum invariants for knotted curves and surfaces using quandle cohomology were introduced by Laurel Langford and the authors in math.GT/9903135 In this paper we present methods to compute the invariants and sample computations. Computer…
We introduce the four-page index of a knot or link as a presentation invariant arising from embeddings in a four-page open book decomposition. Using spanning trees of the checkerboard graph of a reduced non-split diagram, we construct a…
The Slope Conjecture relates a quantum knot invariant, (the degree of the colored Jones polynomial of a knot) with a classical one (boundary slopes of incompressible surfaces in the knot complement). The degree of the colored Jones…
We describe a procedure that creates an explicit complex-valued polynomial function of three-dimensional space, whose nodal lines are the three-twist knot $5_2$. The construction generalizes a similar approach for lemniscate knots: a braid…
This paper formulates a generalization of our work on quantum knots to explain how to make quantum versions of algebraic, combinatorial and topological structures. We include a description of previous work on the construction of Hilbert…
A state generating is introduced to determine the Jones polynomial of a link. Formulae for two infinite families of knots are shown by applying this method, the second family of which are proved to be non-alternating. Moreover, the method…
We describe a way of encoding a Kauffman state as a set of tuples, similar to a Gauss code. Then we describe a procedure for using these state codes to determine the unoriented genus and crosscap number of any prime alternating knot or…