On iterated torus knots and transversal knots (Q1601283)

For \((n-1)\)-braids \(P\) and \(Q\), an exchange move replaces the closure of \(P\sigma^{\pm 1}_{n-1}Q\sigma_{n-1}^{\mp 1}\) with that of \(P\sigma_{n-1}^{\mp 1}Q\sigma_{n-1}^{\pm 1}\) and a \(\pm\)-destabilization replaces the closure of \(P\sigma_{n-1}^{\pm 1}\) with that of \(P\), where we regard the first three braids as \(n\)-braids and \(\sigma_i\) is the \(i\)th standard generator of the \(n\)-braid group. A knot is called \textit{exchange reducible} if any closed braid representative can be changed into a closed braid with minimum braid index by a finite sequence of braid isotopies, exchange moves and \(\pm\)-destabilizations. A cable of a knot \(K\) is a knot on the peripheral torus of \(K\). Starting with the unknot we can repeat the cabling constructions, and the result is called an iterated torus knot. A transversal knot is a knot that is transversal to the standard contact structure of \(\pmb{R}^3\). Here a contact structure is a totally non-integrable plane field. The Bennequin number of a transversal knot is the linking number of the knot and its push-off into the contact plane, which is an invariant of transversal knots. A transversal knot is called \textit{transversally simple} if it is determined by its topological knot type and its Bennequin number. The main result of this paper is to show that iterated torus knots are exchange reducible. The exchange reducibility of the unknot was shown by \textit{J. Birman} and \textit{W. Menasco} [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 329, 585-606 (1992; Zbl 0758.57005)]. On the other hand it is proved by \textit{J. Birman} and \textit{N.C. Wrincle} [J. Differ. Geom. 55, no. 2, 325-354, (2000)] that if a transversal knot is exchange reducible as a topological knot, then it is transversally simple. Combining this and the main result of the paper under review, it follows that an iterated torus knot is transversally simple, generalizing the result of \textit{J. B. Etnyre} [Geom. Topol. 3, 253-268 (1999; Zbl 0927.57004)] proving that a positive torus knot, a single cable of the unknot, is transversally simple. The proof of the main result is done by analyzing intersections of the disks bounding the braid axis and the torus appearing at the final iteration to construct the iterated torus knot.