arXiv research

A method to convert pretzel links into braids.

We show that nontrivial classical pretzel knots L(p,q,r) are hyperbolic with eight exceptions which are torus knots. We find Conway polynomials of n-pretzel links using a new computation tree. As applications, we compute the genera of n-pretzel links using these polynomials and find the basket number of pretzel links b…

Study completes braid index determination for all pretzel links.

This paper determines the braid indices for non-alternating pretzel links.

The paper tabulates and computes the number of alternating pretzel links up to a given crossing number.

This study limits the number of pretzel links with a specific Jones polynomial span.

Paper generalizes pretzel links using spatial graphs.

The paper classifies pretzel links with 2 components and gives conditions for those with 3 or more.

The study classifies $χ-$slice pretzel links and Seifert fiber spaces.

Study supports conjecture about pretzel links' homology.

The 3-strand pretzel knots and links are a well-studied source of examples in knot theory. However, while there have been computations of the Khovanov homology of some sub-families of 3-strand pretzel knots, no general formula has been given for all of them. We give a general formula for the unreduced Khovanov homology…

New formula recovers degree of colored Jones polynomials for pretzel knots.

Let p and q be distinct integers greater than one. We show that the 2-component pretzel link P(p,q,-p,-q) is not slice, even though it has a ribbon mutant, by using 3-fold branched covers and an obstruction based on Donaldson's diagonalization theorem. As a consequence, we prove the slice-ribbon conjecture for 4-strand…

We investigate some algebraic structures called quasi-trivial quandles and we use them to study link-homotopy of pretzel links. Precisely, a necessary and sufficient condition for a pretzel link with at least two components being trivial under link-homotopy is given. We also generalize the quasi-trivial quandle idea to…

Researchers calculate colored Jones polynomials for pretzel links using Kuperberg's theory.

Study revisits Alexander-Conway and Kauffman bracket polynomials for pretzel links.

Study disproves finiteness conjecture for a specific link's skein module.

We explicitly calculate the universal character ring of the (-2,2m+1,2n)-pretzel link and show that it is reduced for all integers m and n.

Quasi-alternating links are homologically thin for both Khovanov homology and knot Floer homology. We show that every quasi-alternating link gives rise to an infinite family of quasi-alternating links obtained by replacing a crossing with an alternating rational tangle. Consequently, we show that many pretzel links are…

Study the JSJ-decomposition of a specific 3-manifold.

A rational homology sphere whose Heegaard Floer homology is the same as that of a lens space is called an L-space. We classify pretzel knots with any number of tangles which admit L-space surgeries. This rests on Gabai's classification of fibered pretzel links.

In this paper we use Heegaard Floer link homology to determine the dual Thurston polytope for pretzel links of the form P(-2r_1-1, 2q_1, -2q_2, 2r_2+1) where r_i and q_i are positive integers. We apply this result to determine the Thurston norms of spanning surfaces for the individual link components, and we explicitly…

This paper finds bounds on the ribbonlength of knots and links with up to 9 crossings.

A very simple expression is conjectured for arbitrary colored Jones and HOMFLY polynomials of a rich $(g+1)$-parametric family of Pretzel knots and links. The answer for the Jones and HOMFLY polynomials is fully and explicitly expressed through the Racah matrix of U_q(SU_N), and looks related to a modular transformatio…

Study on pretzel knots showing cyclic branched covers are L-spaces.

We compute the reduced Khovanov homology of 3-stranded pretzel links. The coefficients are the integers with the "even" sign assignment. In particular, we show that the only homologically thin, non-quasi-alternating 3-stranded pretzels are P(-p,p,r) with p an odd integer and r greater than or equal to p (these were sho…

Quasi-alternating links are a generalization of alternating links. They are homologically thin for both Khovanov homology and knot Floer homology. Recent work of Greene and joint work of the first author with Kofman resulted in the classification of quasi-alternating pretzel links in terms of their integer tassel param…

New examples of hyperbolic links with generalized torsion elements found.

In this paper we consider some families of links, including (-2,2m+1,2n)-pretzel links and twisted Whitehead links. We calculate the character varieties of these families, and determine the number of irreducible components of these character varieties.

This paper examines number theoretic and topological properties of fully augmented pretzel link complements. In particular, we determine exactly when these link complements are arithmetic and exactly which are commensurable with one another. We show these link complements realize infinitely many CM-fields as invariant …

The tail of the colored Jones polynomial of an alternating link is a $q$-series invariant whose first $n$ terms coincide with the first $n$ terms of the $n$-th colored Jones polynomial. Recently, it has been shown that the tail of the colored Jones polynomial of torus knots give rise to Ramanujan type identities. In th…

With the help of the evolution method we calculate all HOMFLY polynomials in all symmetric representations [r] for a huge family of (generalized) pretzel links, which are made from g+1 two strand braids, parallel or antiparallel, and depend on g+1 integer numbers. We demonstrate that they possess a pronounced new struc…

In this paper we show that Montesinos links of the form L(1/2, 1/2, p/q;e), which we call (2,2,r)-Montesinos links, have finite involutory quandles. This generalizes an observation of Winker regarding the (2, 2, q)-pretzel links. We also describe some properties of these quandles.

New torsion patterns found in Khovanov homology of link diagrams.

We prove the meridional rank conjecture for twisted links and arborescent links associated to bipartite trees with even weights. These links are substantial generalizations of pretzels and two-bridge links, respectively. Lower bounds on meridional rank are obtained via Coxeter quotients of the groups of link complement…

We exhibit the first examples of links which are homologically thin but not quasi-alternating. To show that they are not quasi-alternating, we argue that none of their branched double-covers bounds a negative definite 4-manifold with non-torsion H_1. Using this method, we also complete the determination of the quasi-al…

Direct proof of hyperbolicity for a family of knots.

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…

Paper computes Alexander polynomials for arborescent links.

Study shows arithmetic properties of specific hyperbolic Dehn fillings.

We investigate the problem of characterising the family of strongly quasipositive links which have definite symmetrised Seifert forms and apply our results to the problem of determining when such a link can have an L-space cyclic branched cover. In particular, we show that if $δ_n = σ_1 σ_2 \ldots σ_{n-1}$ is the dual …

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 trivial link diagram. By using span of a diagram and linking number of a diagram …

We prove that the Whitehead link complement and the (-2, 3, 8) pretzel link complement are the minimal volume orientable hyperbolic 3-manifolds with two cusps, with volume 3.66... = 4 x Catalan's constant. We use topological arguments to establish the existence of an essential surface which provides a lower bound on vo…

Every link is shown to be presentable as a boundary of an unknotted flat banded surface. A (flat) banded link is defined as a boundary of an unknotted (flat) banded surface. A link's (flat) band index is defined as the minimum number of bands required to present the link as boundaries of an unknotted (flat) banded surf…

Improved lower bound for knot coloring using quandles.

Circle graph complexes reveal link properties via Khovanov homology.

Cosmetic surgeries on pretzel knots are unique.

Classifies fibered ribbon pretzels, except for a few cases.