We study decomposition into simple arcs (i.e., arcs without self-intersections) for diagrams of knots and spatial graphs. In this paper, it is proved in particular that if no edge of a finite spatial graph G is a knotted loop, then there exists a plane diagram D of G such that (i) each edge of G is represented by a simple arc of D and (ii) each vertex of G is represented by a point on the boundary of the convex hull of D. This generalizes the conjecture of S. Jablan and L. Radovic stating that each knot has a meander diagram, i.e., a diagram composed of two simple arcs whose common endpoints lie on the boundary of the convex hull of the diagram. Also, we prove another conjecture of Jablan and Radovic stating that each 2-bridge knot has a semi-meander minimal diagram, i.e., a minimal diagram composed of two simple arcs. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Original languageEnglish
Article number107122
Number of pages14
JournalTopology and its Applications
Volume274
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Apr 2020

    Research areas

  • Knot, Meander, Simple arc, Spatial graph

    Scopus subject areas

  • Geometry and Topology

ID: 71226887