Legendrian graphs and quasipositive diagrams

Abstract

In this paper we clarify the relationship between ribbon surfaces of Legendrian graphs and quasipositive diagrams by using certain fence diagrams. As an application, we give an alternative proof of a theorem concerning a relationship between quasipositive fiber surfaces and contact structures on the 3-sphere. We also answer a question of L. Rudolph concerning moves of quasipositive diagrams.

17 pages, 19 figures