arXiv research

We prove a version of symmetric criticality for ropelength-critical knots. Our theorem implies that a knot or link with a symmetric representative has a ropelength-critical configuration with the same symmetry. We use this to construct new examples of ropelength critical configurations for knots and links which are dif…

The JSJ decomposition helps classify genus two handlebody-knots.

We describe Taylor towers for spaces of knots arising from Goodwillie-Weiss calculus of the embedding functor and extend the configuration space integrals of Bott and Taubes from spaces of knots to the stages of the towers. We show that certain combinations of integrals, indexed by trivalent diagrams, yield cohomology …

This article surveys the use of configuration space integrals in the study of the topology of knot and link spaces. The main focus is the exposition of how these integrals produce finite type invariants of classical knots and links. More generally, we also explain the construction of a chain map, given by configuration…

We propose a new method of computing cohomology groups of spaces of knots in $\R^n$, $n \ge 3$, based on the topology of configuration spaces and two-connected graphs, and calculate all such classes of order $\le 3.$ As a byproduct we define the higher indices, which invariants of knots in $\R^3$ define at arbitrary si…

Computer experiments reveal complex knots that don't simplify.

Researchers describe a spectral sequence for knots in 3D space.

In a previous article, we constructed an invariant Z for null-homologous knots in rational homology spheres, from equivariant intersections in configuration spaces. Here we present an equivalent definition of Z in terms of configuration space integrals, we prove that Z is multiplicative under connected sum, and we prov…

The perturbative Chern-Simons theory for knots in Euclidean space is a linear combination of integrals on configuration spaces. This has been successively studied by Bott and Taubes, Altschuler and Freidel, and Yang. We study it again in terms of degree theory, with a new choice of compactification. This paper is self-…

We study the Vassiliev knot invariant v_2 of degree 2. We present it via the degrees of maps of various configuration spaces related to a knot to products of spheres. This gives rise to numerous geometrical and combinatorial formulas for this invariant.

New formula for knot invariants simplifies calculations and counts.

The first part of this paper is a short review of the construction [dg-ga/9710001] of invariants of rational homology 3-spheres and knots in terms of configuration space integrals. The second part describes the relationship between the above construction and Kontsevich's proposal of removing one point from the rational…

New basis confirms Thurston's conjecture and reveals knot configurations.

This paper details a series of experiments in searching for minimal energy configurations for knots and links using the computer program KnotPlot. The most interesting phenomena found in these experiments is the dependence of the trajectories of energy descent upon the initial geometric conditions of the knotted embedd…

Formula connects knot invariants to Alexander polynomials.

Smooth knots with odd Conway polynomial terms have inscribed trefoils.

Researchers find optimal configurations of complex knots and links.

This paper applies knot theory to modern yo-yo play.

Computes knot types using HOMFLY-PT polynomial.

We introduce a new operation, double point surgery, on immersed surfaces in a 4-manifold, and use it to construct knotted configurations of surfaces in many 4-manifolds. Taking branched covers, we produce smoothly exotic actions of Z/m x Z/n on simply connected 4-manifolds with complicated fixed-point sets.

There is a higher dimensional analogue of the perturbative Chern-Simons theory in the sense that a similar perturbative series as in 3-dimension, which is computed via configuration space integral, yields an invariant of higher dimensional knots (Bott-Cattaneo-Rossi invariant), which is constructed by Bott for degree 2…

Constructs universal link invariants from intersections in configuration spaces.

Bott, Cattaneo and Rossi defined invariants of long knots $\mathbb R^n \hookrightarrow \mathbb R^{n+2}$ as combinations of configuration space integrals for $n$ odd $\geq 3$. Here, we give a more flexible definition of these invariants. Our definition allows us to interpret these invariants as counts of diagrams. It ex…

Paper introduces an invariant to distinguish handlebody-knot exteriors.

For a polygonal knot K, it is shown that a tube of radius R(K), the polygonal thickness radius, is an embedded torus. Given a thick configuration K, perturbations of size r<R(K) define satellite structures, or local knotting. We explore knotting within these tubes both theoretically and numerically. We provide bounds o…

We categorise coherent band (aka nullification) pathways between knots and 2-component links. Additionally, we characterise the minimal coherent band pathways (with intermediates) between any two knots or 2-component links with small crossing number. We demonstrate these band surgeries for knots and links with small cr…

New geometric invariant from disc intersections captures all coloured Jones polynomials.

New method describes entanglement of straight lines in 3D space.

Bott and Taubes used integrals over configuration spaces to produce finite-type a.k.a. Vassiliev knot invariants. Cattaneo, Cotta-Ramusino and Longoni then used these methods together with graph cohomology to construct "Vassiliev classes" in the real cohomology of spaces of knots in higher-dimensional Euclidean spaces,…

Configuration space integrals have in recent years been used for studying the cohomology of spaces of (string) knots and links in $\mathbb{R}^n$ for $n>3$ since they provide a map from a certain differential algebra of diagrams to the deRham complex of differential forms on the spaces of knots and links. We refine this…

In this paper we show that via the configuration space integral construction a non-trivalent graph cocycle can also yield a non-zero cohomology class of the space of higher (and even) codimensional long knots. This simultaneously proves that the Browder operation induced by the operad action defined by R. Budney is not…

Study how knots occupy space using topological methods.

We give a new definition of the knot invariant associated to the Lie algebra su_{N+1}. The knot or link must be presented as the plat closure of a braid. The invariant is then a homological intersection pairing between two submanifolds of a configuration space of points in a disk. This generalizes previous work on the …

Study shows space writhe closely correlates with knot signature in polymers.

The real cohomology of the space of imbeddings of S^1 into R^n, n>3, is studied by using configuration space integrals. Nontrivial classes are explicitly constructed. As a by-product, we prove the nontriviality of certain cycles of imbeddings obtained by blowing up transversal double points in immersions. These cohomol…

Two graph homologies help compute embedding space.

Study chord diagrams and knot theory, proving inevitable complexity in cohomology sequences.

We construct cohomology classes in the space of knots by considering a bundle over this space and "integrating along the fiber" classes coming from the cohomology of configuration spaces using a Pontrjagin-Thom construction. The bundle we consider is essentially the one considered by Bott and Taubes, who integrated dif…

The presence of slipknots in configurations of proteins and DNA has been shown to affect their functionality, or alter it entirely. Historically, polymers are modeled as polygonal chains in space. As an alternative to space curves, we provide a framework for working with subknots inside of knot diagrams via knotoid dia…

Study finds knots with ideal length need not have smallest volume.

The Alexander polynomial is linked to Bott-Cattaneo-Rossi invariants via Chern-Simons theory.

We study a theory of finite type invariants for null-homologous knots in rational homology 3-spheres with respect to null Lagrangian-preserving surgeries. It is an analogue in the setting of the rational homology of the Goussarov-Rozansky theory for knots in integral homology 3-spheres. We give a partial combinatorial …

We initiate the study of classical knots through the homotopy class of the n-th evaluation map of the knot, which is the induced map on the compactified n-point configuration space. Sending a knot to its n-th evaluation map realizes the space of knots as a subspace of what we call the n-th mapping space model for knots…

The paper explores knots with equal bridge and braid index, conjecturing they have a unique equilibrium state.

Study quantizes ropelength and writhe of 12-crossing knots.

Quantum invariants are explained as intersections in configuration spaces.

Long, flexible physical filaments are naturally tangled and knotted, from macroscopic string down to long-chain molecules. The existence of knotting in a filament naturally affects its configuration and properties, and may be very stable or disappear rapidly under manipulation and interaction. Knotting has been previou…

Our main object of study is a certain degree-one cohomology class of the space K of long knots in R^3. We describe this class in terms of graphs and configuration space integrals, showing the vanishing of some anomalous obstructions. To show that this class is not zero, we integrate it over a cycle studied by Gramain. …