Related papers: The Bennequin number of n-trivial closed n-braids …

We characterize the fractional Dehn twist coefficient (FDTC) on the $n$-stranded braid group as the unique homogeneous quasimorphism to the real numbers of defect at most 1 that equals 1 on the positive full twist and vanishes on the…

We establish homotopy ribbon concordance obstructions coming from the Blanchfield form and Levine-Tristram signatures. Then, as an application of twisted Alexander polynomials, we show that for every knot K with nontrivial Alexander…

In this work, we find a closed form formula for the braid index of an $n$-bridge braid, a class of positive braid knots which simultaneously generalizes torus knots, 1-bridge braids, and twisted torus knots. Our proof is elementary,…

We study the negative band number of braids, knots, and links using Birman, Ko, and Lee's left-canonical form of a braid. As applications, we characterize up to conjugacy strongly quasipositive braids and almost strongly quasipositive…

Let $\beta$ be a braid on $n$ strands, with exponent sum $w$. Let $\Delta$ be the Garside half-twist braid. We prove that the coefficient of $v^{w-n+1}$ in the Homfly polynomial of the closure of $\beta$ agrees with $(-1)^{n-1}$ times the…

We explore properties of braids such as their fractional Dehn twist coefficients, right-veeringness, and quasipositivity, in relation to the transverse invariant from Khovanov homology defined by Plamenevskaya for their closures, which are…

For a knot K, let b_n(K) be the minimum length of an n-stranded braid representative of K. Examples of knots exist for which b_n(K) is a non-increasing function. We investigate the behavior of b_n(K). We develop bounds on the function in…

Let $u(K)$ and $g(K)$ denote the unknotting number and the genus of a knot $K$, respectively. For a 3-braid knot $K$, we show that $u(K)\le g(K)$ holds, and that if $u(K)=g(K)$ then $K$ is either a 2-braid knot, a connected sum of two…

A positive braid with at least one full twist is known to be a minimal braid, i.e, it achieves the braid index for its closure. In this paper we find knots that are the closure of positive minimal braids that cannot be represented by…

It is still unknown whether there is a nontrivial knot with Jones polynomial equal to that of the unknot. Tanaka shows that if an amphichiral knot is a symmetric union of the unknot with one twist region, then its Jones polynomial is…

We give examples of knots with some unusual properties of the crossing number of positive diagrams or strand number of positive braid representations. In particular we show that positive braid knots may not have positive minimal (strand…

Inverse braid monoid describes a structure on braids where the number of strings is not fixed. So, some strings of initial $n$ may be deleted. In the paper we show that many properties and objects based on braid groups may be extended to…

The unknotting number $u$ and the genus $g$ of braid positive knots are equal, as shown by Rudolph. We prove the stronger statement that any positive braid diagram of a genus $g$ knot contains $g$ crossings, such that changing them produces…

Using an involved study of the Jones polynomial, we determine, as our main result, the crossing numbers of (prime) amphicheiral knots. As further applications, we show that several classes of links, including semiadequate links and…

In this paper, we show the trivializing number of all minimal diagrams of positive 2-bridge knots and study the relation between the trivializing number and the unknotting number for a part of these knots.

It is well known that any link can be represented by the closure of a braid. The minimum number of strings needed in a braid whose closure represents a given link is called the braid index of the link and the well known…

We show that for any nontrivial knot $K$ and any natural number $n$ there is a diagram $D$ of $K$ such that the unknotting number of $D$ is greater than or equal to $n$. It is well known that twice the unknotting number of $K$ is less than…

Suppose $(B,\pi)$ is an open book supporting $(Y,\xi)$, where the binding $B$ is possibly disconnected, and $K$ is a braid about this open book. Then $B\cup K$ is naturally a transverse link in $(Y,\xi)$. We prove that the transverse link…

In this paper we solve one open problem from \cite{pat} and give some generalizations. Namely, we prove that the first homology group of positive braid knot is trivial. Also, we show that the same is true for the Khovanov-Rozansky homology…

A generalization of the topological fundamental group is developed in order to exhibit a topologically complete braid group containing Artin's braid group on infinitely many strands with respect to the following notion of convergence: A…