Dictionary#

Here are explained some usefull terms.

PD code and EM code#

EM code (Ewing-Millett code) and PD code (planar diagram code) are methods of descirbing knots in detail. To find EM code of your knot diagram:

  • Give each crossing a number,

  • Give each crossing a sign according to,

  • For each crossing:

    • Name “a” direction of outgoing overpassing arc,

    • Name every other direction in a clockwise order “b”, “c” and “d”,

    • In this way, every arc – by which we mean here continuous piece of chain between two neighbour crossings – consists of two ends, each described by a number and a letter.

  • A code for a crossing consists of its number, its sign, and four two-character descriptions of opposite ends of four arcs coming out of the crossing (in order “a”, “b”, “c”, “d”).

  • A code for a structure consists of a list of codes for crossings.

EM code

Finding PD code is easier:

  • Go along the structure according to its orientation and after each crossing asign next number to it (starting from 1).

  • Each crossing is described by “X” symbol with numbers of its neighbouring arcs: counter-clockwise starting from ingoing underpassing.

  • Structure code is described by a list of its crossings.

In case of spatial graphs (theta-curves, handcuffs) PD code can be extended. In such a case every vertex connected to three arcs is described by “V” symbol with numbers of its neighbouring arcs in any order.

PD code

Reidemeister moves#

Set of basic moves that change knot diagram but doesn’t alter knot topology.

Reidemeister moves

Three types of Reidemeister moves#

KMT algorithm#

Based on Koniaris’s and Muthukamar’s method. This algorithm analyzes all triangles in a chain made by three consecutive points, and removes the middle point in case a given triangle is not intersected by any other segment of the chain. In effect, after a number of iterations, the initial chain is replaced by (much) shorter and simpler chain of the same topological type.

KMT algorithm

Representation of KMT algorithm#