Topological and physical knot theory are distinct

Alexander Coward; Joel Hass

doi:10.2140/pjm.2015.276.387

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arXiv · 1203.4019

Topological and physical knot theory are distinct

Alexander Coward·Joel Hass

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Abstract

Physical knots and links are one-dimensional submanifolds of R^3 with fixed length and thickness. We show that isotopy classes in this category can differ from those of classical knot and link theory. In particular we exhibit a Gordian Split Link, a two component link that is split in the classical theory but cannot be split with a physical isotopy.

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Alexander Coward, Joel Hass. 2012-03-19. Topological and physical knot theory are distinct. https://doi.org/10.2140/pjm.2015.276.387

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