Unknotting problem

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In mathematics, the unknotting problem is the problem of algorithmically recognizing the unknot, given some input, e.g., a knot diagram.

There are several types of unknotting algorithms. A major open problem is to determine if there is such a polynomial time algorithm. The unknotting problem is known to be in NP, and also in AM \cap coAM. Ian Agol has claimed a proof that unknotting is in NP \cap coNP.

Some algorithms:

  • Haken's algorithm - uses the theory of normal surfaces to check for a normal disc bound by the knot
  • An upper bound (exponential in crossing number) exists on the number of Reidemeister moves needed to change an unknot diagram to the standard unknot. This gives a brute-force search algorithm.
  • Birman-Hirsch algorithm - uses braid foliations
  • Residual finiteness of the knot group (which follows from geometrization of Haken manifolds) gives a rather inefficient algorithm: check if the group has a representation into a symmetric group with non-cyclic image while simultaneously attempting to produce a subdivision of the triangulated complement that is equivalent to a subdivision of the triangulated solid torus.
  • Knot Floer homology of the knot detects the genus of the knot, which is 0 if and only if the knot is an unknot. A combinatorial version of knot Floer homology allows a straightforward computation.

Understanding the complexity of these algorithms is an active field of study.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  • Masao Hara, Seiichi Tani and Makoto Yamamoto. Unknotting is in \mathbf{AM} \cap \mathbf{coAM} Proceedings of the ACM-SIAM Symposium on Discrete Algorithms (SODA), 2005
  • Ian Agol. Knot genus is NP. Web page with scanned talk slides
  • Wolfgang Haken, Theorie der Normalflächen. Acta Math. 105 (1961) 245--375 (Haken's algorithm)
  • Joan S. Birman; Michael Hirsch, A new algorithm for recognizing the unknot. Geometry and Topology 2 (1998), 178--220.
  • Joel Hass; Jeffrey Lagarias, The number of Reidemeister moves needed for unknotting. J. Amer. Math. Soc. 14 (2001), no. 2, 399--428