On polynomials and surfaces of variously positive links (Q2388677)

Descriptions and bounds for the minimal degree and certain coefficients of the Jones polynomial in terms, for instance, of genera are studied for special types of links (almost positive, fibred,...). Recall that a link \(L\) is called \textsl{\(k\)-almost positive} if \(k\) is the minimum number of negative crossings over all diagrams for \(L\). A link is \textsl{positive} if it is \(0\)-almost positive and \textsl{almost positive} if it is \(1\)-almost positive. The author proves that the minimal degree of the Jones polynomial of an almost positive link \(L\) equals \((1-\chi(L))/2\). This fact was proved by \textit{T. Fiedler} in [Topology 30, No.1, 1-8 (1991; Zbl 0724.57004)] for positive braid knots, i.e. knots obtained as closures of braids which are products of only positive Artin generators. Notice that, when \(L\) is a knot, \((1-\chi(L))/2\) is simply the genus of the knot. In his paper, Fiedler also conjectured a bound for the minimal degree of the Jones polynomial (``Jones polynomial-ribbon genus conjectures''). His conjectures are disproved in this paper. Several other examples and some open questions are also proposed.