Bridge index for spatial \(\theta_{n}\)-curves with local knots (Q1873727)

For any integer \(n \geq 2,\) a \textit{theta n-curve} \(\theta_n\) is a CW-complex consisting of two vertices \(v_1, v_2\) and \(n\) edges connecting \(v_1\) with \(v_2.\) The present paper deals with connected sums \(\Gamma \# K\), where \(\Gamma: \theta_n \to \mathbb R^3\) is a spatial embedding of \(\theta_n\), \(K\) is an oriented knot in \(\mathbb R^3\), and the connected sum is intended to be performed along the \(n\)th edge of \(\Gamma.\) The author's main aim is to study connections between the bridge index (see \textit{H. Goda} [Topology Appl. 79, 177-196 (1997; Zbl 0888.57003)]) \(b^*(\Gamma \# K)\) of \(\Gamma \# K\) and those of \(\Gamma\) and \(K:\) in particular, he shows that \(\mu(\Gamma, K)= b^*(\Gamma) + b^*(K) - b^*(\Gamma \# K)\) satisfies \[ 1 \leq \mu(\Gamma, K) \leq b^*(K) \] and proves this estimate to be best possible since, for any integers \(m,s\) with \(1 \leq m \leq s\), there exists a spatial theta \(n\)-curve \(\Gamma_{m,s}\) satisfying \(\mu(\Gamma, K)=m\) for any \(s\)-bridge knot \(K\). \noindent Moreover, a connected sum formula on the bridge index for spatial theta \(n\)-curves obtained from an unknotted theta \(n\)-curve \(I_n\) by adding local knots to all the edges of \(I_n\) is obtained; note that it represents a generalization of Schubert's result on the bridge index for composite knots (see \textit{H. Schubert} [Math. Z. 61, 245-288 (1954; Zbl 0058.17403)]).