More 1-cocycles for classical knots

Let [Formula: see text] be the topological moduli space of long knots up to regular isotopy, and for any natural number [Formula: see text] let [Formula: see text] be the moduli space of all [Formula: see text]-cables of framed long knots which are twisted by a string link to a knot in the solid torus [Formula: see text]. We upgrade the Vassiliev invariant [Formula: see text] of a knot to an integer valued combinatorial 1-cocycle for [Formula: see text] by a very simple formula. This 1-cocycle depends on a natural number [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] as a parameter and we obtain a polynomial-valued 1-cocycle by taking the Lagrange interpolation polynomial with respect to the parameter. We show that it induces a non-trivial pairing on [Formula: see text] already for [Formula: see text].

Galois symmetries of knot spaces

We exploit the Galois symmetries of the little disks operads to show that many differentials in the Goodwillie–Weiss spectral sequences approximating the homology and homotopy of knot spaces vanish at a prime $p$ . Combined with recent results on the relationship between embedding calculus and finite-type theory, we deduce that the $(n+1)$ th Goodwillie–Weiss approximation is a $p$ -local universal Vassiliev invariant of degree $\leq n$ for every $n \leq p + 1$ .

Clasp-pass moves and Kauffman polynomials of virtual knots

Habiro showed that two knots [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are related by a finite sequence of clasp-pass moves, if and only if they have the same value for Vassiliev invariants of type [Formula: see text]. Tsukamoto showed that, if two knots differ by a clasp-pass move then the values of the Vassiliev invariant [Formula: see text] of degree [Formula: see text] for the two knots differ by [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the Jones polynomial of a knot [Formula: see text]. If two virtual knots are related by clasp-pass moves, then they take the same value for all Vassiliev invariants of degree [Formula: see text]. We extend the Tsukamoto’s result to virtual knots by using a Vassiliev invariant [Formula: see text] of degree [Formula: see text], which is induced from the Kauffman polynomial. We also get a lower bound for the minimal number of clasp-pass moves needed to transform [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text], if two virtual knots [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] can be related by a finite sequence of clasp-pass moves.

A zero polynomial of virtual knots

In 2013, Cheng and Gao introduced the writhe polynomial of virtual knots and Kauffman introduced the affine index polynomial of virtual knots. We introduce a zero polynomial of virtual knots of a similar type by considering weights of a suitable collection of crossings of a virtual knot diagram. We show that the zero polynomial gives a Vassiliev invariant of degree 1. It distinguishes a pair of virtual knots that cannot be distinguished by the affine index polynomial and the writhe polynomial.

Delta moves and Kauffman polynomials of virtual knots

In 1990, Okada showed that the second coefficients of the Conway polynomials of two knots differ by 1 if the two knots are related by a single Δ-move. We extend the Okada's result for virtual knots by using a Vassiliev invariant v2 of virtual knots of degree 2 which is induced from the Kauffman polynomial of a virtual knot. We show that v2(K1) - v2(K2) = ±48, if K2 is a virtual knot obtained from a virtual knot K1 by applying a Δ-move. From this we have a lower bound [Formula: see text] for the number of Δ-moves if two virtual knots K1 and K2 are related by a sequence of Δ-moves.

Similarity indices and the Miyazawa polynomials of virtual links

Y. Miyazawa introduced a two-variable polynomial invariant of virtual knots in 2006 [Magnetic graphs and an invariant for virtual links, J. Knot Theory Ramifications 15 (2006) 1319–1334] and then generalized it to give a multi-variable one via decorated virtual magnetic graph diagrams in 2008. A. Ishii gave a simple state model for the two-variable Miyazawa polynomial by using pole diagrams in 2008 [A multi-variable polynomial invariant for virtual knots and links, J. Knot Theory Ramifications 17 (2008) 1311–1326]. H. A. Dye and L. H. Kauffman constructed an arrow polynomial of a virtual link in 2009 which is equivalent to the multi-variable Miyazawa polynomial [Virtual crossing number and the arrow polynomial, preprint (2008), arXiv:0810.3858v3, http://front.math.ucdavis.edu .]. We give a bracket model for the multi-variable Miyazawa polynomial via pole diagrams and polar tangles similarly to the Ishii's state model for the two-variable polynomial. By normalizing the bracket polynomial we get the multi-variable Miyazawa polynomial fK ∈ ℤ[A, A-1, K1, K2, …] of a virtual link K. n-similar knots take the same value for any Vassiliev invariant of degree < n. We show that fK1 ≡ fK2 mod (A4 - 1)n if two virtual links K1 and K2 are n-similar. Also we give a necessary condition for a virtual link to be periodic by using n-similarity of virtual tangles and the Miyazawa polynomial.

A LINKING NUMBER DEFINITION OF THE AFFINE INDEX POLYNOMIAL AND APPLICATIONS

This paper gives an alternate definition of the Affine Index Polynomial (called the Wriggle Polynomial) using virtual linking numbers and explores applications of this polynomial. In particular, it proves the Cosmetic Crossing Change Conjecture for odd virtual knots and pure virtual knots. It also demonstrates that the polynomial can detect mutations by positive rotation and proves it cannot detect mutations by positive reflection. Finally it exhibits a pair of mutant knots that can be distinguished by a type 2 vassiliev invariant coming from the polynomial.

SATANIC AND THELEMIC CIRCLES ON KNOTS

While Vassiliev invariants have proved to be a useful tool in the classification of knots, they are frequently defined through knot diagrams, and fail to illuminate any significant geometric properties the knots themselves may possess. Here, we provide a geometric interpretation of the second-order Vassiliev invariant by examining five-point cocircularities of knots, extending some of the results obtained in [R. Budney, J. Conant, K. P. Scannell and D. Sinha, New perspectives on self-linking, Adv. Math. 191(1) (2005) 78–113]. Additionally, an analysis on the behavior of other cocircularities on knots is given.

INVARIANTS OF CLOSED BRAIDS VIA COUNTING SURFACES

A Gauss diagram is a simple, combinatorial way to present a link. It is known that any Vassiliev invariant may be obtained from a Gauss diagram formula that involves counting subdiagrams of certain combinatorial types. In this paper we present simple formulas for an infinite family of invariants in terms of counting surfaces of a certain genus and number of boundary components in a Gauss diagram associated with a closed braid. We then identify the resulting invariants with partial derivatives of the HOMFLY-PT polynomial.