Computations of the slice genus of virtual knots (Q1755433)

A virtual knot is an equivalence class of embeddings of \(S^1\) into thickened (closed oriented) surfaces up to self-diffeomorphism of the surface and certain handle stabilizations whose attaching spheres do not intersect the embedded \(S^1\). The slice genus of a virtual knot is defined diagrammatically in direct analogy to that of a classical knot. In the paper under review, the author computes and estimates the slice genus of all virtual knots with \(4\) classical crossings or less. The author also computes or estimates the slice genus of \(46\) virtual knots with \(5\) and \(6\) classical crossings whose slice status has not been determined in the work of \textit{H. U. Boden} et al. [Exp. Math. 28, No. 4, 475--491 (2019; Zbl 1504.57016)]. The computations are made using two distinct virtual extensions of the Rasmussen invariant, one due to \textit{H. A. Dye} et al. [J. Knot Theory Ramifications 26, No. 3, Article ID 1741001, 57 p. (2017; Zbl 1380.57012)], the other one due to the author [Can. J. Math. 70, No. 5, 1130--1172 (2018; Zbl 1473.57040)]. Specifically, the computations are made using bounds on the two extensions of the Rasmussen invariant. The bounds are themselves generalisations of those on the classical Rasmussen invariant due, independently, to \textit{T. Kawamura} [Topology Appl. 196, Part B, 558--574 (2015; Zbl 1330.57008)] and \textit{A. Lobb} [Compos. Math. 147, No. 2, 661--668 (2011; Zbl 1220.57007)]. The bounds allow for the computation of the extensions of the Rasmussen invariant in particular cases. Further, the author identifies a class of virtual knots for which the two extensions of the Rasmussen invariant agree, and also shows that the extension due to \textit{H. A. Dye} et al. [loc. cit.] is additive with respect to the connected sum.