The L-Move and Virtual Braids

We prove Alexander- and Markov-type theorems for virtual spatial trivalent graphs and virtual trivalent braids. We provide two versions for the Markov-type theorem: one uses an algebraic approach similar to the case of classical braids and the other one is based on L-moves.

We introduce a local deformation called the virtualized $\Delta$-move for virtual knots and links. We prove that the virtualized $\Delta$-move is an unknotting operation for virtual knots. Furthermore we give a necessary and sufficient condition for two virtual links to be related by a finite sequence of virtualized $\Delta$-moves.

We study the structure of the virtual braid group. It is shown that the virtual braid group is a semi--direct product of the virtual pure braid group and the symmetric group. Also, it is shown that the virtual pure braid group is a semi--direct product of free groups. From these results we obtain a normal form of words in the virtual braid group. We introduce the concept of a universal braid group. This group contains the classical braid group and has as its quotient groups t...

Twisted knot theory introduced by M. Bourgoin is a generalization of knot theory. It leads us to the notion of twisted virtual braids. In this paper we show theorems for twisted links corresponding to the Alexander theorem and the Markov theorem in knot theory. We also provide a group presentation and a reduced group presentation of the twisted virtual braid group.

Braidoids generalize the classical braids and form a counterpart theory to the theory of planar knotoids, just as the theory of braids does for the theory of knots. In this paper, we introduce basic notions of braidoids, a closure operation for braidoids, we prove an analogue of the Alexander theorem, that is, an algorithm that turns a knotoid into a braidoid, and we formulate and prove a geometric analogue of the Markov theorem for braidoids using the $L$-moves.

Withdrawn and replaced by two related manuscripts: (1) "Stabilization in the braid groups I:MTWS", published in Geometry and Topology Volume 10 (2006), 413-540, arXiv:math.GT/0310279, and (2) "Stabilization in the braid groups II: Transversal simplicity of knots", Geometry and Topology Volume 10 (2006), to appear, arXiv:math,GT/0310280.

The purpose of this erratum is to fill a gap in the proof of the `Composite Braid Theorem' in the manuscript "Studying Links Via Closed Braids IV: Composite Links and Split Links (SLVCB-IV)", Inventiones Math, \{bf 102\} Fasc. 1 (1990), 115-139. The statement of the theorem is unchanged. The gap occurs on page 135, lines $13^-$ to $11^-$, where we fail to consider the case: $V_2 = 4, V_4 > 0, V_j=0$ if $j not= 2,4,$ and all 4 vertices of valence 2 are bad. At the end of thi...

Virtual braids are a combinatorial generalization of braids. We present abstract braids as equivalence classes of braid diagrams on a surface, joining two distinguished boundary components. They are identified up to isotopy, compatibility, stability and Reidemeister moves. We show that virtual braids are in a bijective correspondence with abstract braids. Finally we demonstrate that for any abstract braid, its representative of minimal genus is unique up to compatibility and ...

The notion of a virtual knot introduced by L. Kauffman induces the notion of a virtual braid. It is closely related with a welded braid of R. Fenn, R. Rimanyi and C. Rourke. Alexander's and Markov's theorems for virtual knots and braids are proved. Similar results for welded knots and braids are also proved.

In the context of finite type invariants, Stanford introduced a family of equivalence relations on knots defined by the lower central series of the pure braid groups and characterized the finite type invariants in terms of the structure of the braid groups. It is known that this equivalence and Ohyama's equivalence defined by a local move are equivalent. On the other hand, in the virtual knot theory, the concept of Ohyama's equivalence was extended by Goussarov-Polyak-Viro, w...