On the algebraic part of an alternating link (Q1183096)

The main purpose of this paper is to describe and justify a simple method for determining the ``algebraic'' part of a link \((S^ 3,L)\) (in the sense of Bonahon and Siebenmann), where \(L\) is a link with a connected, prime alternating diagram. The article is independent of this much quoted but rarely seen work of Bonahon and Siebenmann. Section 2 gives a careful description of tangles, Conway spheres and Conway discs, leading up to a definition of ``algebraic part''. Section 3 applies work of \textit{W. Menasco} [Topology 23, 37-44 (1984; Zbl 0525.57003)] to the problem of recognizing Conway spheres and elementary tangles from an alternating diagram. Section 4 deals with the case when there is no Conway sphere and in the final section it is shown that if a Conway sphere is ``visible'' for one alternating algebraic diagram of a link then it is visible for any other such diagram of the link. (It is observed that this result would follow from the Tait flyping conjecture, which has since been proved by the author in joint work with Menasco reviewed above (see Zbl 0745.57002).