arXiv research

Using exhaustive techniques and results from Lackenby and many others, we compute the tunnel number of all 1655 alternating 11 and 12 crossing knots and of 881 non-alternating 11 and 12 crossing knots. We also find all 5525 Montesinos knots with 14 crossings or fewer.

Minimal grid diagrams for 12-crossing prime knots identified.

Computed the 4-genus for all 12-crossing prime knots.

The paper calculates ribbon numbers for 12-crossing knots using Alexander polynomials.

Among non-alternating knots with $n\le 12$ crossings given in \cite{1} Turaev genus is not known for 191 knot. For 154 of them we show that they are almost alternating, so their Turaev genus is 1.

Study quantizes ropelength and writhe of 12-crossing knots.

This paper contains the results of efforts to determine values of the smooth and the topological slice genus of 11- and 12-crossing knots. Upper bounds for these genera were produced by using a computer to search for genus one concordances between knots. For the topological slice genus further upper bounds were produce…

Study on factorizations of knot polynomials for up to 12 crossings.

Paper determines 2-adjacent knots up to 12 crossings.

Identifies doubly slice genera for 2909 prime knots with up to 12 crossings.

It is known that the first two-variable Links--Gould quantum link invariant $LG\equiv LG^{2,1}$ is more powerful than the HOMFLYPT and Kauffman polynomials, in that it distinguishes all prime knots (including reflections) of up to 10 crossings. Here we report investigations which greatly expand the set of evaluations o…

We are giving tables of quasi-alternating knots with $8\le n \le 12$ crossings. As the obstructions for a knot to be quasialternating we used homology thickness with regards to Khovanov homology, odd homology, and Heegaard-Floer homology $\widehat{HFK}$. Except knots which are homology thick, so cannot be quasialternat…

We show that a positive braid knot has maximal topological 4-genus exactly if it has maximal signature invariant. As an application, we determine all positive braid knots with maximal topological 4-genus and compute the topological 4-genus for all positive braid knots with up to 12 crossings.

We give infinitely many examples of 2-bridge knots for which the topological and smooth slice genera differ. The smallest of these is the 12-crossing knot $12a255$. These also provide the first known examples of alternating knots for which the smooth and topological genera differ.

We present the results of Axel Seeliger's tabulation of symmetric union presentations for ribbon knots with crossing numbers 11 and 12 and exhibit possible examples for ribbon knots which are not representable as symmetric unions. In addition, we give a complete atlas of band diagrams for prime ribbon knots with 11 and…

We present computational results about quasi-alternating knots and links and odd homology obtained by looking at link families in the Conway notation. More precisely, we list quasi-alternating links up to 12 crossings and the first examples of quasi-alternating knots and links with at least two different minimal diagra…

We extend an approach of Beliakova for computing knot Floer homology and implement it in a publicly available computer program. We review the main programming and optimization methods used. Our program is then used to check that the Floer homology of a prime non-alternating knot with less than 12 crossings has no torsi…

We discuss relations among various positivities of knots and links, such as strong quasipositivity and quasipositivity. We give several pieces of supporting evidence for conjectural statements concerning these positivities and the defect of Bennequin inequality. Finally, we determine strong quasipositivity and quasipos…

We study cosmetic crossings in knots of genus one and obtain obstructions to such crossings in terms of knot invariants determined by Seifert matrices. In particular, we prove that for genus one knots the Alexander polynomial and the homology of the double cover branching over the knot provide obstructions to cosmetic …

Using a combinatorial approach described in a recent paper of Manolescu, Ozsváth, and Sarkar we compute the Heegaard-Floer knot homology of all knots with at most 12 crossings as well as the $τ$ invariant for knots through 11 crossings. We review the basic construction of \cite{MOS}, giving two examples that can be wor…

In this paper we present a sequence of link invariants, defined from twisted Alexander polynomials, and discuss their effectiveness in distinguish knots. In particular, we recast and extend by geometric means a recent result of Silver and Williams on the nontriviality of twisted Alexander polynomials for nontrivial kno…

We use the rational Witt class of a knot in the 3-sphere as a tool for addressing questions about its unknotting number. We apply these tools to several low crossing knots (151 knots with 11 crossing and 100 knots with 12 crossings) and to the family of n-stranded pretzel knots for various values of n>2. In many cases …

The study confirms conjectures about slopes of knots using knot Floer homology.

We derive new obstructions to periodicity of classical knots by employing the Heegaard Floer correction terms of the finite cyclic branched covers of the knots. Applying our results to two fold covers, we demonstrate through numerous examples that our obstructions are successful where many existing periodicity obstruct…

Using computer calculations and working with representatives of pretzel tangles we established general adequacy criteria for different classes of knots and links. Based on adequate graphs obtained from all Kauffman states of an alternating link we defined a new numerical invariant: adequacy number, and computed adequac…

In this paper we use artificial neural networks to predict and help compute the values of certain knot invariants. In particular, we show that neural networks are able to predict when a knot is quasipositive with a high degree of accuracy. Given a knot with unknown quasipositivity we use these predictions to identify b…

This paper investigates symmetric ribbon numbers of low-complexity knots.

The twisting number of a ribbon knot is at least as large as its doubly slice genus.

Homologically fibered knots are knots whose exteriors satisfy the same homological conditions as fibered knots. In our previous paper, we observed that for such a knot, higher-order Alexander invariants defined by Cochran, Harvey and Friedl are generally factorized into the part of the Magnus matrix and that of a certa…

Study knot invariants to deduce Hopf invariant and propose a slope conjecture.

A knot in the three-sphere is doubly slice if it is the cross-section of an unknotted two-sphere in the four-sphere. For low-crossing knots, the most complete work to date gives a classification of doubly slice knots through 9 crossings. We extend that work through 12 crossings, resolving all but four cases among the 2…

Positive braids minimize knot untangling steps.

Every element in the first cohomology group of a 3--manifold is dual to embedded surfaces. The Thurston norm measures the minimal `complexity' of such surfaces. For instance the Thurston norm of a knot complement determines the genus of the knot in the 3--sphere. We show that the degrees of twisted Alexander polynomial…

New method uses quandle rings to distinguish knots and their mirrors.

Study knots that divide ribbon knotted surfaces, computing their half ribbon genus and fusion number.

Given a knot K we introduce a new invariant coming from the Blanchfield pairing and we show that it gives a lower bound on the unknotting number of K. This lower bound subsumes the lower bounds given by the Levine-Tristram signatures, by the Nakanishi index and it also subsumes the Lickorish obstruction to the unknotti…

The study eliminates infinite families of knots with nontrivial Alexander polynomials and improves unknotting number data.

We present an enhanced prime decomposition theorem for knots that gives the isotopy classes of composite knots that can be constructed from a given list of prime factors (allowing for the mirroring and orientation reversing for each factor). Underlying the theorem is an algebraic construction that also allows for the c…

New superbridge index calculations for knots with odd edges.

The purpose of the paper is two-fold: to introduce a multivariable creative telescoping method, and to apply it in a problem of Quantum Topology: namely the computation of the non-commutative $A$-polynomial of twist knots. Our multivariable creative telescoping method allows us to compute linear recursions for sums of …

Paper defines half-Conway polynomial and computes it for knots up to 12 crossings.

Computer program finds FAMED triangulations for thousands of knots.

Agent finds unknotting sequences for complex knots.

We prove that the degree of the Brandt-Lickorish-Millet polynomial of any quasi-alternating link is less than its determinant. Therefore, we obtain a new and a simple obstruction criterion for quasi-alternateness. As an application, we identify some knots of 12 crossings or less and some links of 9 crossings or less th…

The study finds totally geodesic surfaces in hyperbolic 3-manifolds and verifies a conjecture.

New algorithms compute crosscap numbers of knots and 3-manifolds.

It is a major unsolved problem as to whether unknot recognition - that is, testing whether a given closed loop in R^3 can be untangled to form a plain circle - has a polynomial time algorithm. In practice, trivial knots (which can be untangled) are typically easy to identify using fast simplification techniques, wherea…

Study parabolic representations of knots using quandles and polynomials.