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Normal surfaces and Haken's algorithm for recognizing the unknot
Student-Run Geometry/Topology Seminar| Speaker: | Rohit Thomas, UC Davis |
| Location: | 593 Kerr |
| Start time: | Thu, Sep 15 2005, 1:10PM |
I will begin by giving a brief introduction to the theory of normal surfaces in triangulated 3-manifolds, including the notions of geometric summation and fundamental normal surfaces. I will then outline Haken's normal surface algorithm for deciding whether or not a given knot is trivial. If time permits, I will end with proofs of key results upon which the algorithm relies.