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Title: Linking Numbers in Three-Manifolds
Abstract LetMbe a connected, closed, oriented three-manifold andK, Ltwo rationally null-homologous oriented simple closed curves in M. We give an explicit algorithm for computing the linking number betweenKandLin terms of a presentation of Mas an irregular dihedral three-fold cover of $$S^3$$ S 3 branched along a knot$$\alpha \subset S^3$$ α S 3 . Since every closed, oriented three-manifold admits such a presentation, our results apply to all (well-defined) linking numbers in all three-manifolds. Furthermore, ribbon obstructions for a knot $$\alpha $$ α can be derived from dihedral covers of $$\alpha $$ α . The linking numbers we compute are necessary for evaluating one such obstruction. This work is a step toward testing potential counter-examples to the Slice-Ribbon Conjecture, among other applications.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1821212
PAR ID:
10272231
Author(s) / Creator(s):
;
Publisher / Repository:
Springer Science + Business Media
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Discrete & Computational Geometry
ISSN:
0179-5376
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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