Understanding Disks-and-Bands Surfaces: Genus and Boundary Components

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the representation of orientable surfaces using disks and bands, specifically analyzing the contributions of upper and lower parts to genus and boundary components. The upper part, consisting of pairs representing 2-tori with a disk removed, contributes one boundary component and increases the genus by 2 for each pair of handles attached. Conversely, the lower part, which includes individual handles, adds one boundary component and increases the genus by 1 for each handle due to the introduction of essential loops around the inner holes. These conclusions are based on the principles outlined in the referenced Knot Theory document.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of orientable surfaces in topology
  • Familiarity with genus and boundary components
  • Knowledge of essential loops and their significance in surface topology
  • Basic concepts of 2-tori and handle attachments
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of genus in higher-dimensional topology
  • Explore the concept of essential loops in more complex surfaces
  • Learn about the classification of surfaces and their representations
  • Investigate the role of homology in understanding surface properties
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, particularly those specializing in topology, students studying surface theory, and researchers interested in the properties of orientable surfaces and their representations.

WWGD
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
Messages
7,802
Reaction score
13,106
Hi all, I was reviewing some old material on the representation of orientable surfaces
in terms of disks and bands , in page 2 of:


http://www.maths.ed.ac.uk/~jcollins/Knot_Theory.pdf

Please tell me if I am correct here. Assume there is a horizontal line dividing the surface into
an upper part and a lower part. Consider pairs in the upper part ; each represents a 2-torus with a disk removed. Consider too, individual handles in the lower part; each attached handle is basically a disk D^2 with a smaller disk d^2 removed. Then:

1) The "upper part" contributes one boundary component as a whole ; every pair of handles contributes 2 to the genus, i.e., every time we attach a pair of handles as in the upper part, the genus increases by 2 , since we can add a pair of essential , i.e., non-separating loops l_1, l_2 , each going exactly once around each of the respective handles (and, of course, any other loop about these handles would be homologous to either l_1 or to l_2).

2) Attaching a single handle as in the lower part increases both the number of boundary components by 1 ( the inner loop within the handle, representing a small disk d^2 removed from
D^2 ), and also increases the overall genus by 1, since we now have a new essential loop for each handle, this loop is the one that winds around the inner hole.

Is this correct?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I'm sorry you are not generating any responses at the moment. Is there any additional information you can share with us? Any new findings?
 
Thanks, Greg, I'm trying to freshen up on the topic see if I can ask a more precise question. I'll keep you posted.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
5K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
6K