Virtual and arrow Temperley–Lieb algebras, Markov traces, and virtual link invariants

Let [Formula: see text] be the algebra of Laurent polynomials in the variable [Formula: see text] and let [Formula: see text] be the algebra of Laurent polynomials in the variable [Formula: see text] and standard polynomials in the variables [Formula: see text] For [Formula: see text] we denote by [Formula: see text] the virtual braid group on [Formula: see text] strands. We define two towers of algebras [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] in terms of diagrams. For each [Formula: see text] we determine presentations for both, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. We determine sequences of homomorphisms [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], we determine Markov traces [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], and we show that the invariants for virtual links obtained from these Markov traces are the [Formula: see text]-polynomial for the first trace and the arrow polynomial for the second trace. We show that, for each [Formula: see text] the standard Temperley–Lieb algebra [Formula: see text] embeds into both, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], and that the restrictions to [Formula: see text] of the two Markov traces coincide.

Writhe-like invariants of alternating links

It is known that the writhe calculated from any reduced alternating link diagram of the same (alternating) link has the same value. That is, it is a link invariant if we restrict ourselves to reduced alternating link diagrams. This is due to the fact that reduced alternating link diagrams of the same link are obtainable from each other via flypes and flypes do not change writhe. In this paper, we introduce several quantities that are derived from Seifert graphs of reduced alternating link diagrams. We prove that they are “writhe-like” invariants, namely they are not general link invariants, but are invariants when restricted to reduced alternating link diagrams. The determination of these invariants are elementary and non-recursive so they are easy to calculate. We demonstrate that many different alternating links can be easily distinguished by these new invariants, even for large, complicated knots for which other invariants such as the Jones polynomial are hard to compute. As an application, we also derive an if and only if condition for a strongly invertible rational link.

Cluster Structures on Double Bott–Samelson Cells

Let $\mathsf {C}$ be a symmetrisable generalised Cartan matrix. We introduce four different versions of double Bott–Samelson cells for every pair of positive braids in the generalised braid group associated to $\mathsf {C}$ . We prove that the decorated double Bott–Samelson cells are smooth affine varieties, whose coordinate rings are naturally isomorphic to upper cluster algebras. We explicitly describe the Donaldson–Thomas transformations on double Bott–Samelson cells and prove that they are cluster transformations. As an application, we complete the proof of the Fock–Goncharov duality conjecture in these cases. We discover a periodicity phenomenon of the Donaldson–Thomas transformations on a family of double Bott–Samelson cells. We give a (rather simple) geometric proof of Zamolodchikov’s periodicity conjecture in the cases of $\Delta \square \mathrm {A}_r$ . When $\mathsf {C}$ is of type $\mathrm {A}$ , the double Bott–Samelson cells are isomorphic to Shende–Treumann–Zaslow’s moduli spaces of microlocal rank-1 constructible sheaves associated to Legendrian links. By counting their $\mathbb {F}_q$ -points we obtain rational functions that are Legendrian link invariants.

Higher arity self-distributive operations in Cascades and their cohomology

We investigate constructions of higher arity self-distributive operations, and give relations between cohomology groups corresponding to operations of different arities. For this purpose we introduce the notion of mutually distributive [Formula: see text]-ary operations generalizing those for the binary case, and define a cohomology theory labeled by these operations. A geometric interpretation in terms of framed links is described, with the scope of providing algebraic background of constructing [Formula: see text]-cocycles for framed link invariants. This theory is also studied in the context of symmetric monoidal categories. Examples from Lie algebras, coalgebras and Hopf algebras are given.

Multivariate Alexander quandles, II. The involutory medial quandle of a link

Joyce showed that for a classical knot [Formula: see text], the order of the involutory medial quandle is [Formula: see text]. Generalizing Joyce’s result, we show that for a classical link [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] components, the order of the involutory medial quandle is [Formula: see text]. In particular, [Formula: see text] is infinite if and only if [Formula: see text]. We also relate [Formula: see text] to several other link invariants.