Fiber detection for state surfaces

Abstract

Every Kauffman state σof a link diagram D(K) naturally defines a state surface S_σwhose boundary is K. For a homogeneous state σ, we show that K is a fibered link with fiber surface S_σif and only if an associated graph G'_σis a tree. As a corollary, it follows that for an adequate knot or link, the second and next-to-last coefficients of the Jones polynomial are obstructions to certain state surfaces being fibers for K. This provides a dramatically simpler proof of a theorem from [arXiv:1108.3370].

6 pages, 5 figures. v2 features minor revisions. To appear in Algebraic & Geometric Topology