On two generator satellite knots (Q1826899)

The paper under review is related to two well-known conjectures on the topology of knots and links in the standard 3-sphere. The first one arises from a problem attributed to L. Moser which asks for a geometric characterization of those knots and links whose groups may be presented using two group elements. ``Two generator knots are tunnel number one knots'' is the corresponding conjecture, due to M. Scharlemann and A. Casson. The second conjecture arises from a problem (attributed to S. Cappell and J. Shaneson) which asks if generators which can be represented by simple closed curves on the boundary (the so-called meridional generators) correspond to the bridges of a bridge decomposition of the knot exterior. The meridional generator conjecture asserts an affirmative answer to Cappell and Shaneson's question. The main result of the present paper classifies the satellite knots in the 3-sphere with a two generator presentation in which one of the generators is meridional. The ``two generator knots are tunnel number one knots'' and ``meridional generator'' conjectures for these knots follow as corollaries to the classification. The authors announce that their techniques apply generally to determine the geometric structure of nonsimple two generator 3-manifolds from purely algebraic data. The details of this will appear in a forth coming paper.