Erratum: Studying Links via Closed Braids IV: Composite Links and Split Links

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 this Erratum we make some brief remarks on the literature, as it has evolved during the 14 years between the publication of SLVCB-IV and the submission of this Erratum.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures. This is an Erratum to "Studying Links Vai Closed Braids IV: Composite Links and Split Links", Inventiones Math., 102 Facs. 1 (190), 115-13

On 4-fold covering moves

We prove the existence of a finite set of moves sufficient to relate any two representations of the same 3-manifold as a 4-fold simple branched covering of S^3. We also prove a stabilization result: after adding a fifth trivial sheet two local moves suffice. These results are analogous to results of Piergallini in degree 3 and can be viewed as a second step in a program to establish similar results for arbitrary degree coverings of S^3.Comment: Published by Algebraic and Geometric Topology at http://www.maths.warwick.ac.uk/agt/AGTVol3/agt-3-5.abs.html Version 2: correction added on page 13

Eigenvalue bounds in the gaps of Schrodinger operators and Jacobi matrices

We consider $C=A+B$ where $A$ is selfadjoint with a gap $(a,b)$ in its spectrum and $B$ is (relatively) compact. We prove a general result allowing $B$ of indefinite sign and apply it to obtain a $(\delta V)^{d/2}$ bound for perturbations of suitable periodic Schrodinger operators and a (not quite)Lieb-Thirring bound for perturbations of algebro-geometric almost periodic Jacobi matrices

An elementary approach to the mapping class group of a surface

We consider an oriented surface S and a cellular complex X of curves on S, defined by Hatcher and Thurston in 1980. We prove by elementary means, without Cerf theory, that the complex X is connected and simply connected. From this we derive an explicit simple presentation of the mapping class group of S, following the ideas of Hatcher-Thurston and Harer.Comment: 62 pages. Published copy, also available at http://www.maths.warwick.ac.uk/gt/GTVol3/paper17.abs.htm

Spectral approach to homogenization of an elliptic operator periodic in some directions

The operator $$A_{\varepsilon}= D_{1} g_{1}(x_{1}/\varepsilon, x_{2}) D_{1} + D_{2} g_{2}(x_{1}/\varepsilon, x_{2}) D_{2}$$ is considered in $L_{2}({\mathbb{R}}^{2})$, where $g_{j}(x_{1},x_{2})$, $j=1,2,$ are periodic in $x_{1}$ with period 1, bounded and positive definite. Let function $Q(x_{1},x_{2})$ be bounded, positive definite and periodic in $x_{1}$ with period 1. Let $Q^{\varepsilon}(x_{1},x_{2})= Q(x_{1}/\varepsilon, x_{2})$. The behavior of the operator $(A_{\varepsilon}+ Q^{\varepsilon}$ as $\varepsilon\to0$ is studied. It is proved that the operator $(A_{\varepsilon}+ Q^{\varepsilon})^{-1}$ tends to $(A^{0} + Q^{0})^{-1}$ in the operator norm in $L_{2}(\mathbb{R}^{2})$. Here $A^{0}$ is the effective operator whose coefficients depend only on $x_{2}$, $Q^{0}$ is the mean value of $Q$ in $x_{1}$. A sharp order estimate for the norm of the difference $(A_{\varepsilon}+ Q^{\varepsilon})^{-1}- (A^{0} + Q^{0})^{-1}$ is obtained. The result is applied to homogenization of the Schr\"odinger operator with a singular potential periodic in one direction.Comment: 3

Stabilization in the braid groups II: Transversal simplicity of knots

The main result of this paper is a negative answer to the question: are all transversal knot types transversally simple? An explicit infinite family of examples is given of closed 3-braids that define transversal knot types that are not transversally simple. The method of proof is topological and indirect.Comment: This is the version published by Geometry & Topology on 4 October 2006. Part I (arXiv:math/0310279) is also published in this volum

Lagrangian mapping class groups from a group homological point of view

We focus on two kinds of infinite index subgroups of the mapping class group of a surface associated with a Lagrangian submodule of the first homology of a surface. These subgroups, called Lagrangian mapping class groups, are known to play important roles in the interaction between the mapping class group and finite-type invariants of 3-manifolds. In this paper, we discuss these groups from a group (co)homological point of view. The results include the determination of their abelianizations, lower bounds of the second homology and remarks on the (co)homology of higher degrees. As a by-product of this investigation, we determine the second homology of the mapping class group of a surface of genus 3.Comment: 20 pages. The proof of Lemma 4.2 is corrected. To appear in Algebraic & Geometric Topolog

Homogenization of the elliptic Dirichlet problem: operator error estimates in L2L_2

Let $\mathcal{O} \subset \mathbb{R}^d$ be a bounded domain of class $C^2$. In the Hilbert space $L_2(\mathcal{O};\mathbb{C}^n)$, we consider a matrix elliptic second order differential operator $\mathcal{A}_{D,\varepsilon}$ with the Dirichlet boundary condition. Here $\varepsilon>0$ is the small parameter. The coefficients of the operator are periodic and depend on $\mathbf{x}/\varepsilon$. A sharp order operator error estimate $\|\mathcal{A}_{D,\varepsilon}^{-1} - (\mathcal{A}_D^0)^{-1} \|_{L_2 \to L_2} \leq C \varepsilon$ is obtained. Here $\mathcal{A}^0_D$ is the effective operator with constant coefficients and with the Dirichlet boundary condition.Comment: 13 page