The proof of Birman's conjecture on singular braid monoids. (Q1882849)

Let \(B_n\) be the Artin braid group on \(n\) strings with standard generators \(\sigma_1,\dots,\sigma_{n-1}\), and let \(SB_n\) be the singular braid monoid with generators \(\sigma^{\pm 1}_1,\dots,\sigma^{\pm 1}_{n-1},\tau_1,\dots,\tau_{n-1}\). The desingularization map is the multiplicative homomorphism \(\eta\colon SB_n\to\mathbb{Z}[B_n]\) defined by \(\eta(\sigma^{\pm1}_i)=\sigma^{\pm1}_i\) and \(\eta(\tau_i)=\sigma_i-\sigma^{-1}_i\), for \(1\leq i\leq n-1\). The purpose of the paper is to prove Birman's conjecture, namely, that the desingularization map \(\eta\) is injective.