Quantum Topology / Hopf Algebra Seminar
Louis H. Kauffman
UIC
The Alexander Polynomial and the Seifert Genus of Knots
Abstract: This talk continues from Tuesday. We discuss how the FKT state sum for the Conway-Alexander polynomial can be used to determine the Seifert genus of alternating
knots and a generalization of alternating knots we have called "alternative". The Seifert genus of a knot is the least genus among orientable spanning surfaces obtained by
Seifert's original algorithm for constructing a spanning surface. The Seifert genus is greater than or equal to the minimal genus among all spanning surfaces, and is
known to be greater in some instances.
Thursday October 9, 2014 at 3:00 PM in SEO 612