The stable \(4\)-genus of alternating knots (Q1704290)

This paper proves that for any alternating knot the difference between classical genus and stable topological 4-genus (defined by \textit{C. Livingston} in [Algebr. Geom. Topol. 10, No. 4, 2191--2202 (2010; Zbl 1213.57015)]) ``is either zero or at least 1/3.'' Even better results are shown for ``positive'' alternating knots, where a ``quantitative gap'' between the two disappears. The authors lament the fact, however, that ``there are no workable tools at our disposition'' for establishing an equality between topological 4-genus and classical genus for knots with non-maximal signature and classical genus greater than 2.