The affine index polynomial and the Sawollek polynomial (Q2055076)

Motivated by the Alexander module of a classical knot, \textit{J. Sawollek} introduced a virtual version of the Alexander polynomial [``On Alexander-Conway polynomials for virtual knots and links'', Preprint, \url{arXiv:math/9912173}]. On the other hand, the author introduced the affine index polynomial by using a Cheng coloring of a virtual knot diagram [J. Knot Theory Ramifications 22, No. 4, Article ID 1340007, 30 p. (2013; Zbl 1271.57040)]. \textit{B. Mellor} gave a relationship between these two polynomials in [ibid. 25, No. 8, Article ID 1650050, 30 p. (2016; Zbl 1376.57009)]. The affine index polynomial of an oriented virtual knot diagram \(K\) is defined as \(P_K(t)=\sum\limits _c \operatorname{sgn}(c)\left(t^{W_K(c)}-1\right)\), where the sum runs over all crossings \(c\) of \(K\). Here, \(\operatorname{sgn}(c)\) is the sign of \(c\) and \(W_K(c)\) is the weight of \(c\) obtained from a Cheng coloring of \(K\). Let \(M(K)\) be the relation matrix defined by the Alexander biquandle labeling of \(K\). The Sawollek polynomial \(S_K(s, t)\) is defined by the equation \(S_K(s, t) = \operatorname{Det}(M(K)),\) up to a multiplication by \(\pm t^n s^m\) where \(n\) and \(m\) are integers. Mellor in [loc. cit.] showed that \(S_K(s, t)\) is divisible by \(G=1- st\) and that the quotient of this polynomial by \(G\) gives the affine index polynomial, if \(st=1\). In this paper the author simplifies the proof and gives codes to calculate \(S_K(s, t)\) by using the program Mathematica\(^\circledR\). For the entire collection see [Zbl 1466.57001].