Constructing a polynomial whose nodal set is any prescribed knot or link

Abstract

We describe an algorithm that for every given braid $B$ explicitly constructs a function $f:\mathbb{C}^{2}\rightarrow\mathbb{C}$ such that $f$ is a polynomial in $u$, $v$ and $\overline{v}$ and the zero level set of $f$ on the unit three-sphere is the closure of $B$. The nature of this construction allows us to prove certain properties of the constructed polynomials. In particular, we provide bounds on the degree of $f$ in terms of braid data.