Duality properties of indicatrices of knots

Abstract: The bridge index and superbridge index of a knot are important invariants in knot theory. We define the bridge map of a knot conformation, which is closely related to these two invariants, and interpret it in terms of the tangent indicatrix of the knot conformation. Using the concepts of dual and derivative curves of spherical curves as introduced by Arnold, we show that the graph of the bridge map is the union of the binormal indicatrix, its antipodal curve, and some number of great circles. Similarly, we define the inflection map of a knot conformation, interpret it in terms of the binormal indicatrix, and express its graph in terms of the tangent indicatrix. This duality relationship is also studied for another dual pair of curves, the normal and Darboux indicatrices of a knot conformation. The analogous concepts are defined and results are derived for stick knots.

Review text

Let \(K\) denote a smooth knot conformation in \(\mathbb{R}^3\) of knot type \(\mathcal{K}\). The \textit{bridge index} of the knot type \(\mathcal{K}\) is defined by \[ b(\mathcal{K})=\min_{K\in\mathcal{K}} \min_{v\in S^2}\#(\text{\,local \,maxima \,in \,the \,projection \,of\, } K \text{\,onto \,the \,axis \,defined \,by\,} v). \] The \textit{superbridge index} of the knot type \(\mathcal{K}\) is defined by \[ sb(\mathcal{K})=\min_{K\in\mathcal{K}} \max_{v\in S^2}\#(\text{\,local \,maxima \,in \,the \,projection \,of\, } K \text{\,onto \,the \,axis \,defined \,by\,} v). \] Generalizing this one can define the \textit{bridge map} of the knot conformation \(K\) as a map on the unit sphere \(S^2\) as follows \[ b_v(K)=\#(\text{\,stationary \,points \,in \,the \,projection \,of\, } K \text{\,on \,the \,axis \,defined \,by\,} v). \] The bridge map is closely related to the bridge index and superbridge index and can be interpreted in terms of the tangent indicatrix of the knot conformation. Using the concepts of dual and derivatives of spherical curves introduced by \textit{V. I. Arnol'd} [Russ. Math. Surv. 50, No.1, 1--68 (1995); translation from Usp. Mat. Nauk 50, No. 1, 3--68 (1995; Zbl 0848.58005)] the authors show that the graph of the bridge map is the union of the binormal indicatrix, its antipodal curve, and some number of great circles. Similar to the bridge map the authors define an inflection map of a knot conformation and interpret it in terms of the binomial indicatrix, and express its graph in terms of the tangent indicatrix. This duality relationship is also studied for another dual pair of curves, the normal and the Darboux indicatrices of a knot conformation. In the second half of the paper the authors define analogous concepts and prove similar results for stick knots and speculate that bounds on stick numbers of knots can be obtained by studying the the Darboux indicatrices of smooth knots.

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