On polynomials and surfaces of variously positive links
Abstract
Description
It is known that the minimal degree of the Jones polynomial of a positive knot is equal to its genus, and the minimal coefficient is 1. We extend this result to almost positive links and partly identify the 3 following coefficients for special types of positive links. We also give counterexamples to the Jones polynomial-ribbon genus conjectures for a quasipositive knot. Then we show that the Alexander polynomial completely detects the minimal genus and fiber property of canonical Seifert surfaces associated to almost positive (and almost alternating) link diagrams.
27 pages, 11 figures; revision 26 Sep 03: added ex. 7, section 4.4 and minor corrections
27 pages, 11 figures; revision 26 Sep 03: added ex. 7, section 4.4 and minor corrections