Virtually symmetric representations and marked Gauss diagrams (Q2065112)

In view of the study of virtual links, the authors examine representations of virtual braid groups crucial for the group invariants for virtual links. A combinatorial generalisation of virtual links is introduced and investigated. The highlights of the paper are as follows. The paper under review introduces virtually symmetric representations for representations of virtual braid groups \(VB_n\). It is proved that numerous known representations of \(VB_n\) are virtually symmetric. Once a representation is virtually symmetric, it allows the associated virtual link group to be described in terms of Gauss diagrams (combinatorial objects to study virtual links). The authors also construct a linear, local and non-homogeneous representation of braid groups equivalent to the well-known Burau representation. A local and homogenous virtually symmetric representation of \(VB_n\) is constructed, using which, virtual link groups are constructed using braid, virtual link diagram, and Gauss diagram approaches yielding isomorphic groups. A proper generalisation of Gauss diagrams called marked Gauss diagrams is constructed, to which the notion of virtual link group defined in the paper is extended. Furthermore, an interpretation of marked Gauss diagrams in terms of planar diagrams called marked virtual link diagrams is given. As a result, the study of classes of marked Gauss diagrams generalises the combinatorial virtual link theory. The concept of \(C\)-group was first defined in the work of \textit{V. S. Kulikov} [Izv. Ross. Akad. Nauk Ser. Mat. 57 (1) 76--101; translation in Russ. Acad. Sci. Izv. Math. 42 (1) 67--89 (1994; Zbl 0811.14017)]. The authors define a particular type of \(C\)-groups which they call \(C_m\)-groups, and prove that any 1-irreducible \(C_1\)-presentation of deficiency \(1\) or \(2\) can be realised as the group of a marked Gauss diagram. In the last sections, the peripheral structure of 1-circle marked Gauss diagrams is defined and studied. The peripheral structure for virtual knots using virtual knot groups is established. Also, peripherally specified homomorphic images of groups associated with marked Gauss diagrams are studied. The authors conclude by posting several questions for future research in this area.