Algebraic & Geometric Topology 7 (2007) 1579–1598

DOI: 10.2140/agt.2007.7.1579

Abstract

We prove that if a finite order knot invariant does not distinguish mutant knots, then the corresponding weight system depends on the intersection graph of a chord diagram rather than on the diagram itself. Conversely, if we have a weight system depending only on the intersection graphs of chord diagrams, then the composition of such a weight system with the Kontsevich invariant determines a knot invariant that does not distinguish mutant knots. Thus, an equivalence between finite order invariants not distinguishing mutants and weight systems depending only on intersections graphs is established. We discuss the relationship between our results and certain Lie algebra weight systems.

Keywords

mutant knots, Vassiliev invariants, intersection graphs, Lie algebra weight systems

Mathematical Subject Classification

Primary: 57M15, 57M25

Secondary: 05C10, 57M27

References

Publication

Received: 16 May 2007
Revised: 14 September 2007
Accepted: 17 September 2007
Published: 17 December 2007

Authors