Virtual braids, virtual Temperley-Lieb algebra and \(f\)-polynomial (Q1688139)

In this paper the authors present the virtual Temperley-Lieb algebra, \(\mathcal{V}T_n\), in terms of diagrams as in [\textit{L. H. Kauffman}, Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 318, No. 2, 417--471 (1990; Zbl 0763.57004)]. Then, they define a representation \(\rho_n\) from the virtual braid group \(VB_n\) into \(\mathcal{V}T_n\), which is considered as a function that resolves the crossings of a braid. The representation \(\rho\) is related to the bracket polynomial for virtual knots and that leads naturally to the \(f\)-polynomial. Finally, the authors define the writhe of a braid as the sum of the exponents of the generators in the braid, and, as in the classical case, they define the normalized bracket for closed braids and prove that it is an invariant of virtual knots. They also present calculations of the normalized bracket for the virtual trefoil knot by using \(\rho\).