arXiv research

This paper characterizes Kashiwara-Vergne groups using algebraic structures of knotted tubes.

The theory of welded and extended welded knots is a generalization of classical knot theory. Welded (resp. extended welded) knot diagrams include virtual crossings (resp. virtual crossings and wen marks) and are equivalent under an extended set of Reidemeister-type moves. We present a new class of invariants for welded…

Extended welded links are a generalization of Fenn, Rimányi, and Rourke's welded links. Their braided counterpart are extended welded braids, which are closely related to ribbon braids and loop braids. In this paper we prove versions of Alexander and Markov's theorems for extended welded braids and links, following Kam…

New invariant measures how many twists are needed to unknot welded knots.

Parallelization technique for welded links preserves equivalence and yields specific decompositions.

Paper connects algebraic K-theory to foam geometry.

The paper explores non-trivial welded knots and ribbon torus-knots, proving their existence.

Generators and relations found for foam categories.

The paper studies unknotting operations and numbers for plus-welded knotoids.

New knot concept extends welded knots, simplifying classification.

In the present paper, we consider local moves on classical and welded diagrams: (self-)crossing change, (self-)virtualization, virtual conjugation, Delta, fused, band-pass and welded band-pass moves. Interrelationship between these moves is discussed and, for each of these move, we provide an algebraic classification. …

Combines combinatorial method to extend Milnor invariants to welded links.

Let $n$ be a positive integer. The aim of this paper is to study two local moves $V(n)$ and $V^{n}$ on welded links, which are generalizations of the crossing virtualization. We show that the $V(n)$-move is an unknotting operation on welded knots for any $n$, and give a classification of welded links up to $V(n)$-moves…

Lectures introduce evaluation of SL(3) foams and link homology.

The paper evaluates homology for links in a solid torus with special boundary conditions.

Develops invariants for webs and foams using Seiberg-Witten theory.

This paper studies finite type invariants for welded string links and ribbon tubes, showing characterizations and algebraic structures.

Real foams can be viewed as a geometrically well-organized dispersion of more or less spherical bubbles in a liquid. When the foam is so drained that the liquid content significantly decreases, the bubbles become polyhedral-like and the foam can be viewed now as a network of thin liquid films intersecting each other at…

We show how to use Bar-Natan's `divide and conquer' approach to computations to efficiently compute the universal sl(2) dotted foam cohomology groups, even for big knots and links. We also describe a purely topological version of the sl(2) foam theory, in the sense that no dots are needed on foams.

Foams have Lie algebra symmetries that simplify web state spaces.

We show that any virtual or welded period of a classical knot $K$ can be realized as a classical period. A direct consequence is that a classical knot admits only finitely many virtual or welded periods.

New theory classifies knotted spheres in 4D space.

We use foams to give a topological construction of a rational link homology categorifying the slN link invariant, for N>3. To evaluate closed foams we use the Kapustin-Li formula adapted to foams by Khovanov and Rozansky. We show that for any link our homology is isomorphic to Khovanov and Rozansky's.

New homology for links in annulus discovered.

Study of unoriented SL(4) foams in 3-manifolds.

In this paper we give the results of a computer search for biracks of small size and we give various interpretations of these findings. The list includes biquandles, racks and quandles together with new invariants of welded knots and examples of welded knots which are shown to be non-trivial by the new invariants. Thes…

Foam cobordism groups linked to interval exchange automorphisms.

In this paper, we consider local moves on classical and welded diagrams of string links, and the notion of welded extension of a classical move. Such extensions being non-unique in general, the idea is to find a topological criterion which could isolate one extension from the others. To that end, we turn to the relatio…

The paper extends foam theory to more complex trivalent graphs.

Foams 2-equivalent to singular Soergel bimodules.

In this paper we give the results of a computer search for biracks of small size and we give various interpretations of these findings. The list includes biquandles, racks and quandles together with new invariants of welded knots and examples of welded knots which are shown to be non-trivial by the new invariants. Thes…

The dual to a tetrahedron consists of a single vertex at which four edges and six faces are incident. Along each edge, three faces converge. A 2-foam is a compact topological space such that each point has a neighborhood homeomorphic to a neighborhood of that complex. Knotted foams in 4-dimensional space are to knotted…

The notion of a virtual knot introduced by L. Kauffman induces the notion of a virtual braid. It is closely related with a welded braid of R. Fenn, R. Rimanyi and C. Rourke. Alexander's and Markov's theorems for virtual knots and braids are proved. Similar results for welded knots and braids are also proved.

Using Gauss diagrams, one can define the virtual bridge number ${\rm vb}(K)$ and the welded bridge number ${\rm wb}(K),$ invariants of virtual and welded knots with ${\rm wb}(K) \leq {\rm vb}(K).$ If $K$ is a classical knot, Chernov and Manturov showed that ${\rm vb}(K) = {\rm br}(K),$ the bridge number as a classical …

The paper constructs semistrict monoidal 2-categories from foam evaluations.

We prove that the crossing changes, Delta moves, and sharp moves are unknotting operations on welded knots.

We define an invariant of welded virtual knots from each finite crossed module by considering crossed module invariants of ribbon knotted surfaces which are naturally associated with them. We elucidate that the invariants obtained are non trivial by calculating explicit examples. We define welded virtual graphs and con…

We develop a calculus for diagrams of knotted objects. We define Arrow presentations, which encode the crossing informations of a diagram into arrows in a way somewhat similar to Gauss diagrams, and more generally w-tree presentations, which can be seen as `higher order Gauss diagrams'. This Arrow calculus is used to d…

In a previous paper, the authors proved that Milnor link-homotopy invariants modulo $n$ classify classical string links up to $2n$-move and link-homotopy. As analogues to the welded case, in terms of Milnor invariants, we give here two classifications of welded string links up to $2n$-move and self-crossing virtualizat…

We define new notions of groups of virtual and welded knots (or links) and we study their relations with other invariants, in particular the Kauffman group of a virtual knot.

Let $WB_n$ be the welded (or loop) braid group on n strands, $n \geq 3$. We investigate commutator subgroup of $WB_n$. We prove that the commutator subgroup $WB_n'$ is finitely generated and Hopfian. We show that $WB_n'$ is perfect if and only if $n \geq 5$. We also compute finite presentation for $FWB_n'$, the commuta…

We give a purely combinatorial construction of colored $\mathfrak{sl}_n$ link homology. The invariant takes values in a 2-category where 2-morphisms are given by foams, singular cobordisms between $\mathfrak{sl}_n$ webs; applying a (TQFT-like) representable functor recovers (colored) Khovanov-Rozansky homology. Novel f…

This note investigates the so-called Tube map which connects welded knots, that is a quotient of the virtual knot theory, to ribbon torus-knots, that is a restricted notion of fillable knotted tori in the 4-sphere. It emphasizes the fact that ribbon torus-knots with a given filling are in one-to-one correspondence with…

In this paper I define certain interesting 2-functors from the Khovanov-Lauda 2-category which categorifies quantum sl(k), for any k>1, to a 2-category of universal sl(3) foams with corners. For want of a better name I use the term "foamation" to indicate those 2-functors. I conjecture the existence of similar 2-functo…

In this thesis we define and study a categorification of the sl(N)-link polynomial using foams, for N\geq 3. For N=3 we define the universal sl(3)-link homology, using foams, which depends on three parameters and show that it is functorial, up to scalars, with respect to link cobordisms. Our theory is integral. We show…

We show that Khovanov homology (and its sl(3) variant) can be understood in the context of higher representation theory. Specifically, we show that the combinatorially defined foam constructions of these theories arise as a family of 2-representations of categorified quantum sl(m) via categorical skew Howe duality. Uti…

By 2-twist-spinning the knotted graph that represents the knotted handlebody $5_2$, we obtain a knotted foam in 4-dimensional space with a non-trivial quandle cocycle invariant.

The paper extends graph signatures to Klein graphs and foams, linking signatures to knot properties.