The classification of rational subtangle replacements between rational tangles (Q1954149)

Given a tangle \((B,T)\) and an arc \(\alpha\) connecting two points of \(T\), the neighbourhood of \(\alpha\) determines a rational subtangle. Replacing this by a different rational tangle is called rational subtangle replacement (RSR). The distance of the RSR is determined by the relationship between the two rational tangles. This paper focuses on the case where \((B, T)\) is itself a rational tangle. The Montesinos trick relates RSR to Dehn surgery on the branched double cover of the tangle. The authors use this to translate results about Dehn surgeries in solid tori, by \textit{D. Gabai} [Topology 28, No. 1, 1--6 (1989; Zbl 0678.57004)] and \textit{J. Berge} [Topology Appl. 38, No. 1, 1--19 (1991; Zbl 0725.57001)], into statements about rational tangles, giving explicitly when two rational tangles are related by RSR. They then address the question of which arc is used in the RSR in each case. Similar results are given for RSR of distance at least 2 in rational links. The proof of this makes use of existing classifications of RSR for rational links, Dehn surgery in lens spaces, Seifert fibred spaces, and hyperbolic orbifolds. It also requires an understanding of knots in lens spaces whose exteriors are generalised Seifert fibred spaces. A classification of these is given towards the end of the paper.