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PL Link Isotopy, Essential Knotting and Quotients of Polynomials

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2018

Dale Rolfsen*
Affiliation:
Department of Mathematics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Y4
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Abstract

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Piecewise-linear (nonambient) isotopy of classical links may be regarded as link theory modulo knot theory. This note considers an adaptation of new (and old) polynomial link invariants to this theory, obtained simply by dividing a link's polynomial by the polynomials of the individual components. The resulting rational functions are effective in distinguishing isotopy classes of links, and in demonstrating that certain links are essentially knotted in the sense that every link in its isotopy class has a knotted component. We also establish geometric criteria for essential knotting of links.

Keywords

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Mathematical Society 1991

References

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