On the distance between two Seifert surfaces of a knot (Q1012052)

For a knot \(K\) in \(S^3\), \textit{O. Kakimizu} [Hiroshima Math. J. 22, No. 2, 225--236 (1992; Zbl 0774.57006)] introduced a simplicial complex whose vertices are all the isotopy classes of minimal genus spanning surfaces for \(K\). A set of vertices spans a simplex if they may simultaneously be realized disjointly in the exterior of the knot. Kakimizu has conjectured that this simplicial complex is contractible. This is known to be true for special arborescent links [\textit{M. Sakuma}, Osaka J. Math. 31, No. 4, 861--905 (1994; Zbl 0871.57010)] and for prime, special, alternating links [\textit{M. Hirasawa} and \textit{M. Sakuma}, Minimal genus Seifert surfaces for alternating links. Suzuki, S. (ed.), KNOTS'96. Proceedings of the international conference and workshop on knot theory, Tokyo, Japan, July 22--26, 1996. Singapore: World Scientific. 383-394 (1997; Zbl 0972.57009)]. This paper concentrates on the 1-skeleton of the simplicial complex. It is connected, and it is finite whenever the knot is atoroidal. However, \textit{Y. Tsutsumi} [Tokyo J. Math. 31, No.~1, 253--258 (2008; Zbl 1151.57004)] has proved that, for a fixed \(g\geq 2\), the number of vertices of the 1-skeleton is unbounded among the set of atoroidal knots of genus \(g\). Despite this, in this well written paper the authors prove that, for an atoroidal knot of genus \(g\), the 1-skeleton has diameter at most \(2g(3g-2)+1\). The second main result of the paper states that the intersection number of two minimal genus spanning surfaces for \(K\) is also bounded by a function quadratic in knot genus, whenever \(K\) is atoroidal. As an application, the simple connectivity of Kakimizu's complex among all atoroidal genus 1 knots is obtained. The natural distance defined in the 1-skeleton of the Kakimizu simplicial complex, which assigns distance one to each edge, can be interpreted in terms of the cyclic infinite cover of the knot exterior, and the generator of its deck transformation group. The proofs also rely on a result of \textit{S. R. Fenley} [Math. Z. 228, No.~2, 221--227 (1998; Zbl 0902.57003)] which, among other things, rules out the existence of an accidental peripheral (a simple loop essential on the surface, and homotopic, in the knot exterior, to a loop in the boundary of the exterior) in any minimal genus Seifert surface, whenever the knot is atoroidal.