Non-conjugate braids with the same closure link from density of representations (Q606641)

Let \(b(L)\) denote the minimal \(n\) such that the link \(L\) is represented by some closed braid from the braid group \(B_n\) on \(n\) strands. The author shows that if \(n>3\), \(L\) is not an \((n-1, k(n-1))\) torus link and \(b(L)<n\), then there exist infinitely many conjugacy classes in \(B_n\) representing \(L\) as a closed braid. Heavy use is made of the Burau and Lawrence-Krammer representations and Lie group theory.