A 1-parameter approach to links in a solid torus (Q2270225)

The authors present a combinatorial approach to the isotopy problem for links in a 3-dimensional solid torus by Reidemeister-type moves. When rotating such a link around the central circle of the solid torus one obtains a surface with self-intersections. These intersections form the ``trace graph'' which is represented in a projection onto a longitudinal annulus properly embedded in the solid torus. The main theorem is: Two (generic) links are isotopic in a solid torus, if and only if the respective projections of their trace traphs are connected by a finite sequence of 11 moves described in the paper. The method is applied in the special case of the conjugacy problem of braids in a forthcoming paper. The proof rests on smooth singularity theory and is quite elaborate.