In the present paper we bring together minimality conditions proposed in previous two papers and present some new minimality conditions for classical and virtual knots and links.
A virtual link diagram is called normal if the associated abstract link diagram is checkerboard colorable, and a virtual link is normal if it has a normal diagram as a representative.In this paper, we introduce a method of converting a virtual link diagram to a normal virtual link diagram by use of the double covering technique. We show that the normal virtual link diagrams obtained from two equivalent virtual link diagrams are related by generalized Reidemeister moves and Kauffman flypes.
A virtual link diagram is called normal if the associated abstract link diagram is checkerboard colorable, and a virtual link is normal if it has a normal diagram as a representative. Normal virtual links have some properties similar to classical links.In this paper, we introduce a method of converting a virtual link diagram to a normal virtual link diagram. We show that the normal virtual link diagrams obtained by this method from two equivalent virtual link diagrams are equivalent. We discuss the relationship between this method and some invariants of virtual links.
A virtual link diagram is called mod $m$ almost classical if it admits an Alexander numbering valued in integers modulo $m$, and a virtual link is called mod $m$ almost classical if it has a mod $m$ almost classical diagram as a representative. In this paper, we introduce a method of constructing a mod $m$ almost classical virtual link diagram from a given virtual link diagram, which we call an $m$-fold cyclic covering diagram. The main result is that $m$-fold cyclic covering diagrams obtained from two equivalent virtual link diagrams are equivalent. Thus we have a well-defined map from the se…
We prove that a virtual link diagrams satisfying two conditions on the Khovanov homology is minimal, that is, there is no virtual diagram representing the same link with smaller number of crossings. This approach works for both classical and virtual links
We define a second Steenrod square for virtual links, which is stronger than Khovanov homology for virtual links, toward constructing Khovanov-Lipshitz-Sarkar stable homotopy type for virtual links. This induces the first meaningful nontrivial example of the second Steenrod square operator on the Khovanov homology for links in a 3-manifold other than the 3-sphere.
Virtual index cocycle is the 1-cochain that counts virtual crossings in the arcs of a virtual link diagram. We show how this cocycle can be used to reformulate and unify some known invariants of virtual links.
We introduce an up-down coloring of a virtual-link diagram. The colorabilities give a lower bound of the minimum number of Reidemeister moves of type II which are needed between two 2-component virtual-link diagrams. By using the notion of a quandle cocycle invariant, we determine the necessity of Reidemeister moves of type II for a pair of diagrams of the trivial virtual-knot. This implies that for any virtual-knot diagram $D$, there exists a diagram $D'$ representing the same virtual-knot such that any sequence of generalized Reidemeister moves between them includes at least one Reidemeister…
Oikawa defined an unknotting operation on virtual knots, called a CF-move, and gave a classification of 2-component virtual links up to CF-moves by the virtual linking number and his $n$-invariant. In particular, it was proved that a CF-move characterizes the information contained in the virtual linking number for 2-component odd virtual links. In this paper, we extend this result by classifying odd virtual links and almost odd virtual links with arbitrary number of components up to CF-moves, using the virtual linking number. Moreover, we extend Oikawa's $n$-invariant and introduce two invaria…
The Witten-Reshetikhin-Turaev invariant of classical link diagrams is generalized to virtual link diagrams. This invariant is unchanged by the framed Reidemeister moves and the Kirby calculus. As a result, it is also an invariant of the 3-manifolds represented by the classical link diagrams. This generalization is used to demonstrate that there are virtual knot diagrams with a non-trivial Witten-Reshetikhin-Turaev invariant and trivial 3-manifold fundamental group.
We describe the space of arrow diagram formulas for virtual knot diagrams in the annulus as the kernel of a linear map, inspired from a conjecture due to M. Polyak. As a main application, we slightly improve Grishanov-Vassiliev's theorem for planar chain invariants.
Jin and Lee proved the following: Suppose that $D_1, \dots, D_n$ are link diagrams. Given a link $L$ which is partitioned into sublinks $L_1, \dots, L_n$ admitting diagrams $D_1, \dots, D_n$ respectively, there is a diagram $D$ of $L$ whose restrictions to $L_1, \dots, L_n$ are isotopic to $D_1, \dots, D_n$, respectively. In this paper we show that a similar result does hold for welded links and does not for virtual links.
A virtual link is a generalization of a classical link that is defined as an equivalence class of certain diagrams, called virtual link diagrams. It is further generalized to a twisted link. Twisted links are in one-to-one correspondence with stable equivalence classes of links in oriented thickenings of (possibly non-orientable) closed surfaces. By definition, equivalent virtual links are also equivalent as twisted links. In this paper, we discuss when two virtual links are equivalent as twisted links, and give a necessary and sufficient condition for this to be the case.
The forbidden moves can be combined with Gauss diagram Reidemeister moves to obtain move sequences with which we may change any Gauss diagram (and hence any virtual knot) into any other, including in particular the unknotted diagram
In this paper, we define the notion of a virtually symmetric representation of representations of virtual braid groups and prove that many known representations are equivalent to virtually symmetric. Using one such representation, we define the notion of virtual link groups which is an extension of virtual link groups defined by Kauffman. Moreover, we introduce the concept of marked Gauss diagrams as a generalisation of Gauss diagrams and their interpretation in terms of knot-like diagrams. We extend the definition of virtual link groups to marked Gauss diagrams and define their peripheral str…
For an oriented virtual link, L.H. Kauffman defined the f-polynomial (Jones polynomial). The supporting genus of a virtual link diagram is the minimal genus of a surface in which the diagram can be embedded. In this paper we show that the span of the f-polynomial of an alternating virtual link L is determined by the number of crossings of any alternating diagram of L and the supporting genus of the diagram. It is a generalization of Kauffman-Murasugi-Thistlethwaite's theorem. We also prove a similar result for a virtual link diagram that is obtained from an alternating virtual link diagram by …
We define a generalization of virtual links to arbitrary dimensions by extending the geometric definition due to Carter et al. We show that many homotopy type invariants for classical links extend to invariants of virtual links. We also define generalizations of virtual link diagrams and Gauss codes to represent virtual links, and use such diagrams to construct a combinatorial biquandle invariant for virtual $2$-links. In the case of $2$-links, we also explore generalizations of Fox-Milnor movies to the virtual case. In addition, we discuss definitions extending the notion of welded links to h…
Virtual knot theory is a generalization of knot theory which is based on Gauss chord diagrams and link diagrams on closed oriented surfaces. A twisted knot is a generalization of a virtual knot, which corresponds to a link diagram on a possibly non-orientable surface. In this paper, we discuss an invariant of twisted links which is obtained from the JKSS invariant of virtual links by use of double coverings. We also discuss some properties of double covering diagrams.
We consider the group of unrestricted virtual braids, describe its structure and explore its relations with fused links. Also, we define the groups of flat virtual braids and virtual Gauss braids and study some of their properties, in particular their linearity.
Checkerboard framings are an extension of checkerboard colorings for virtual links. According to checkerboard framings, in 2017, Dye obtained an independent invariant of virtual links: the cut point number. Checkerboard framings and cut points can be used as a tool to extend other classical invariants to virtual links. We prove that one of the conjectures in Dye's paper is correct. Moreover, we analyze the connection and difference between checkerboard framing obtained from virtual link diagram by adapting cut points and twisted link diagram obtained from virtual link diagram by introducing ba…
Cobordism of virtual string links on $n$ strands is a combinatorial generalization of link cobordism. There exists a bijection between virtual string links up to cobordisms and elements of the group $\mathbb{Z}^{n(n-1)}$. This paper also shows that virtual string links up to unwelded equivalence are classified by those groups. Finally, the related theory of welded string link cobordism is defined herein and shown to be trivial for string links with one component.
We define a new kind of Gauss diagrams to describe knots in the solid torus with projections in the annulus. We see that it provides an efficient tool for showing that a knot diagram can be fully recovered from its decorated Gauss diagram, and we use it to establish a characterization of the decorated Gauss diagrams of closed braids.
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 provide a lower bound for unknotting index of a virtual link. Then using warping degree of a diagram, we obtain an upper bound. Both these bounds are applied to find unknotting index for virtual links obtained from pretzel links by virtualizing some crossings
We extend some classical results of Bankwitz, Crowell, and Murasugi to the setting of virtual links. For instance, we show that an alternating virtual link is split if and only if it is visibly split, and that the Alexander polynomial of any almost classical alternating virtual link is alternating. The first result is a consequence of an inequality relating the link determinant and crossing number for any non-split alternating virtual link. The second is a consequence of the matrix-tree theorem of Bott and Mayberry. We extend the first result to semi-alternating virtual links. We discuss the T…
The Wirtinger number of a virtual link is the minimum number of generators of the link group over all meridional presentations in which every relation is an iterated Wirtinger relation arising in a diagram. We prove that the Wirtinger number of a virtual link equals its virtual bridge number. Since the Wirtinger number is algorithmically computable, it gives a more effective way to calculate an upper bound for the virtual bridge number from a virtual link diagram. As an application, we compute upper bounds for the virtual bridge numbers and the quandle counting invariants of virtual knots with…
We use virtual knot theory to detect the non-invertibility of some classical links in $\mathbb{S}^3$. These links appear in the study of virtual covers. Briefly, a virtual cover associates a virtual knot $\upsilon$ to a knot $K$ in a $3$-manifold $N$, under certain hypotheses on $K$ and $N$. Virtual covers of links in $\mathbb{S}^3$ come from taking $K$ to be in the complement $N$ of a fibered link $J$. If $J \sqcup K$ is invertible and $K$ is "close to" a fiber of $J$, then $\upsilon$ satisfies a symmetry condition to which some virtual knot polynomials are sensitive. We also discuss virtual …
In this paper we investigate the virtual string links via a probabilistic interpretation. This representation can be used to distinguish some virtual string links from classical string links. In order to study the algebraic structure behind this probabilistic interpretation we introduce the notion of virtual flat biquandle. The cocycle invariants associated with virtual flat biquandle is discussed.
The notion of chckerboard colorability for virtual links and abstract links is introduced. We study the Jones polynomials of virtual links and abstruct links. It is proved that a certain property of the Jones polynomials of classical links is valid for virtual links which admit checkerboard colorings.
We introduce two kinds of structures, called v-structures and t-structures, on biquandles. These structures are used for colorings of diagrams of virtual links and twisted links such that the numbers of colorings are invariants. Given a biquandle or a quandle, we give a method of constructing a biquandle with these structures. Using the numbers of colorings, we show that Bourgoin's twofoil and non-orientable virtual $m$-foils do not represent virtual links.
In this paper we give two new criteria of detecting the checkerboard colorability of virtual links by using odd writhe and arrow polynomial of virtual links, respectively. By applying new criteria, we prove that 6 virtual knots are not checkerboard colorable, leaving only one virtual knot whose checkerboard colorability is unknown among all virtual knots up to four classical crossings.
A weak chord index $Ind'$ is constructed for self crossing points of virtual links. Then a new writhe polynomial $W$ of virtual links is defined by using $Ind'$. $W$ is a generalization of writhe polynomial defined in [6]. Based on $W$, three invariants of virtual links are constructed. These invariants can be used to detect the non-trivialities of Kishino knot and flat Kishino knot.
New presentations of a link and a virtual link are introduced and algebraic systems on links and virtual links are constructed respectively. Based on the algebraic systems, Reduction Crossing Algorithms for them are proposed which are used to reduce the number of crossings in a link and virtual link. For known unknots, one can transform them into a trivial knot in a polynomial time by applying corresponding algorithm. As special consequences, Goeritz's unknot and Thistlethwaite's unknot are unknotted. Moreover, an infinite family of knots $K_{G_{2k,2l}}$ are unknotted in $O(n^2)$ time where $n…
We extend the theory of hyperbolicity of links in the 3-sphere to tg-hyperbolicity of virtual links, using the fact that the theory of virtual links can be translated into the theory of links living in closed orientable thickened surfaces. When the boundary surfaces are taken to be totally geodesic, we obtain a tg-hyperbolic structure with a unique associated volume. We prove that all virtual alternating links are tg-hyperbolic. We further extend tg-hyperbolicity to several classes of non-alternating virtual links. We then consider bounds on volumes of virtual links and include a table for vol…
We succeed to generalize spun knots of classical 1-knots to the virtual 1-knot case by using the `spinning construction'. That, is, we prove the following: Let $Q$ be a spun knot of a virtual 1-knot $K$ by our method. The embedding type $Q$ in $S^4$ depends only on $K$. Furthermore we prove the following: The submanifolds, $Q$ and the embedded torus made from $K,$ defined by Satoh's method, in $S^4$ are isotopic. We succeed to generalize the above construction to the virtual 2-knot case. Note that Satoh's method says nothing about the virtual 2-knot case. Rourke's interpretation of Satoh's met…
F-polynomials for virtual knots were defined by Kaur, Prabhakar and Vesnin in 2018 using flat virtual knot invariants. These polynomials naturally generalize Kauffman's affine index polynomial and use smoothing in classical crossing of a virtual knot diagram. In this paper we introduce weight functions for ordered orientable virtual and flat virtual link. A flat virtual link is an equivalence class of virtual links in respect to a local symmetry changing type of classical crossing in a diagram. By considering three types of smoothings in classical crossings of a virtual link diagram and suitab…
By adding or removing appropriate structures to Gauss diagram, one can create useful objects related to virtual links. In this paper few objects of this kind are studied: twisted virtual links generalizing virtual links; signed chord diagrams staying halfway between twisted virtual links and Kauffman bracket / Khovanov homology; alternatable virtual links intermediate between virtual and classical links. The most profound role here belongs to a structure that we dare to call orientation of chord diagram. Khovanov homology is generalized to oriented signed chord diagrams and links in oriented t…
We show that all two-bridge knot and link complements are virtually fibered. We also show that spherical Montesinos knot and link complements are virtually fibered. This is accomplished by showing that such knot complements are finitely covered by great circle link complements.
It is known that the Kauffman-Murasugi-Thislethwaite type inequality becomes an equality for any (possibly virtual) adequate link diagram. We refine this condition. As an application we obtain a criterion for virtual link diagram with exactly one virtual crossing to represent a properly virtual link.
A virtual string can be defined as an equivalence class of planar diagrams under certain kinds of diagrammatic moves. Virtual strings are related to virtual knots in that a simple operation on a virtual knot diagram produces a diagram for a virtual string. In this paper we consider three operations on a virtual string or virtual strings which produce another virtual string, namely covering, composition and cabling. In particular we study virtual strings unchanged by the covering operation. We also show how the based matrix of a composite virtual string is related to the based matrices of its c…
We define a generalization of virtual links to arbitrary dimensions by extending the geometric definition due to Carter et al. We show that many homotopy type invariants for classical links extend to invariants of virtual links. We also define generalizations of virtual link diagrams and Gauss codes to represent virtual links, and use such diagrams to construct a combinatorial biquandle invariant for virtual $2$-links. In the case of $2$-links, we also explore generalizations of Fox-Milnor movies to the virtual case. In addition, we discuss definitions extending the notion of welded links to h…
We construct explicitly the Khovanov homology theory for virtual links with arbitrary coefficients by using the twisted coefficients method. This method also works for constructing Khovanov homology for ``non-oriented virtual knots'' in the sense of Viro, in particular, for knots in ${\bf R}P^{3}$.
Several authors have recently studied virtual knots and links because they admit invariants arising from R-matrices. We prove that every virtual link is uniquely represented by a link L in S X I, a thickened, compact, oriented surface S, such that the link complement (S X I) - L has no essential vertical cylinder.
A virtual doodle is an equivalence class of virtual diagrams under an equivalence relation generated by flat version of classical Reidemesiter moves and virtual Reidemsiter moves such that Reidemeister moves of type 3 are forbidden. In this paper we discuss colorings of virtual diagrams using an algebra, called a doodle switch, and define an invariant of virtual doodles. Besides usual colorings of diagrams, we also introduce doubled colorings.
In the present paper, we construct the Khovanov homology theory for virtual links. Besides the direct approach with Z_{2} coefficients we also describe the Khovanov homology for framed links and the Khovanov homology using ``double cover''. The latter two approaches are based on the notion of ``atom''.
The writhe polynomial is a fundamental invariant of an oriented virtual knot. We introduce a kind of local moves for oriented virtual knots called shell moves. The first aim of this paper is to prove that two oriented virtual knots have the same writhe polynomial if and only if they are related by a finite sequence of shell moves. The second aim of this paper is to classify oriented $2$-component virtual links up to shell moves by using several invariants of virtual links.
We introduce an equivalence relation, called stable equivalence, on knot diagrams and closed curves on surfaces. We give bijections between the set of abstract knots, the set of virtual knots, and the set of the stable equivalence classes of knot diagrams on surfaces. Using these bijections, we define concordance and link homology for virtual links. As an application, it is shown that Kauffman's example of a virtual knot diagram is not equivalent to a classical knot diagram.
We address the question of detecting minimal virtual diagrams with respect to the number of virtual crossings. This problem is closely connected to the problem of detecting the minimal number of additional intersection points for a generic immersion of a singular link in $R^{2}$. We tackle this problem by the so-called $ξ$-polynomial whose leading (lowest) degree naturally estimates the virtual crossing number. Several sufficient conditions for minimality together with infinite series of new examples are given. We also state several open questions about $M$-diagrams, which are minimal accordin…
The arrow polynomial is an invariant of framed oriented virtual links that generalizes the virtual Kauffman bracket. In this paper we define the homological arrow polynomial, which generalizes the arrow polynomial to framed oriented virtual links with labeled components. The key observation is that, given a link in a thickened surface, the homology class of the link defines a functional on the surface's skein module, and by applying it to the image of the link in the skein module this gives a virtual link invariant. We give a graphical calculus for the homological arrow polynomial by taking th…