A virtualized skein relation for Jones polynomials (Q1850255)

The authors define ``normal'' virtual link diagrams, which include classical link diagrams. The skein relation mentioned in the title of the article is \[ A^{3}V_{K_{+}}(A)+A^{-3}V_{K_{-}}(A)=(A^{3}+A^{-3})V_{K_{v}}(A), \] where \(K_{+}\) and \(K_{-}\) are normal diagrams which differ only at a single classical crossing and \(K_{v}\) is obtained from either \(K_{+}\) or \(K_{-}\) by virtualizing that crossing. A consequence of the skein relation is that if \(K_{v}\) is also normal then \(V_{K_{+}}(A)=V_{K_{-}}(A)=V_{K_{v}}(A)\). Indeed, the authors prove that if \(K_{v}\) is also normal then \(K_{+}\) and \(K_{-}\) must differ at a crossing between the two strands that connect the summands of a connected sum, i.e., a crossing of the type removed in a Reidemeister \(\Omega .4\) move [\textit{K. Reidemeister}, Knotentheorie, Reprint (1974; Zbl 0277.55007), p. 10]. In particular, if \(K_{+}\) and \(K_{-}\) are both classical link diagrams then \(K_{v}\) cannot represent a classical link type unless \( K_{+},K_{-}\) and \(K_{v}\) are all equivalent. Other consequences of the skein relation include necessary conditions for several properties of normal virtual links.