The generation of random equilateral polygons (Q537896)

Four popular methods to generate random equilateral polygons in three-space are described: the polygonal folding method, the Grankshaft rotation method, the Hedgehog method, and the triangle method. The authors compare the implementation and efficacy of these procedures, especially with regards to the population distribution of polygons in the space of polygonal knots, the distribution of edge vectors, the local curvature, and the local torsion. The authors give a rigorous proof that the Grankshaft rotation method is ergodic and they also show that this provides a fast, attractive alternative to the polygonal folding method, which was already known to be ergodic.