A Complete Computable Knot Invariant

he classification of knots—fundamental objects in topology—has long relied on invariants that are either incomplete or computationally intractable. We introduce the LDI-Chirality invariant, derived from the curvature and torsion of a knot's spatial embedding, and prove it distinguishes all non-degenerate knots. The invariant combines Local Divergence Intensity (LDI), a topological-combinatorial method applied to Frenet-Serret data, with a chiral index given by mean torsion. We provide a rigorous proof of completeness for generic knots and validate it empirically on 8,372 knots across seven families, performing 35 million pairwise comparisons with zero collisions. The invariant computes in linear time, distinguishes classic pathological pairs (e.g., mutant knots) that defeat all polynomial invariants, and correctly identifies chirality. This work establishes the first efficiently computable and complete knot invariant, offering a practical tool for mathematical and applied contexts where reliable knot discrimination is essential. We prove that the LDI-Chirality invariant $\Lambda(K) = (\mathrm{LDI}_\kappa, \mathrm{LDI}_{|\tau|}, \chi)$ distinguishes all non-degenerate knots. The proof rests on three pillars: (1) for smooth periodic functions, identical LDI values in the fine-discretization limit imply identical normalized shapes (Shape Determination Lemma); (2) the closure constraint for space curves is rigid under affine transformations of curvature (Closure Rigidity Proposition); (3) the chiral index $\chi$ is anti-invariant under reflection, resolving mirror ambiguity.

Publication Details

Journal
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Published
2025-11-09
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17916453
Primary Topic
Geometric and Algebraic Topology
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

A Complete Computable Knot Invariant

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Geometric and Algebraic Topology
article

A Complete Computable Knot Invariant

article en

Abstract

he classification of knots—fundamental objects in topology—has long relied on invariants that are either incomplete or computationally intractable. We introduce the LDI-Chirality invariant, derived from the curvature and torsion of a knot's spatial embedding, and prove it distinguishes all non-degenerate knots. The invariant combines Local Divergence Intensity (LDI), a topological-combinatorial method applied to Frenet-Serret data, with a chiral index given by mean torsion. We provide a rigorous proof of completeness for generic knots and validate it empirically on 8,372 knots across seven families, performing 35 million pairwise comparisons with zero collisions. The invariant computes in linear time, distinguishes classic pathological pairs (e.g., mutant knots) that defeat all polynomial invariants, and correctly identifies chirality. This work establishes the first efficiently computable and complete knot invariant, offering a practical tool for mathematical and applied contexts where reliable knot discrimination is essential. We prove that the LDI-Chirality invariant $\Lambda(K) = (\mathrm{LDI}_\kappa, \mathrm{LDI}_{|\tau|}, \chi)$ distinguishes all non-degenerate knots. The proof rests on three pillars: (1) for smooth periodic functions, identical LDI values in the fine-discretization limit imply identical normalized shapes (Shape Determination Lemma); (2) the closure constraint for space curves is rigid under affine transformations of curvature (Closure Rigidity Proposition); (3) the chiral index $\chi$ is anti-invariant under reflection, resolving mirror ambiguity.

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Reduced inequalities, Peace, Justice and strong institutions
Openalex Percentile: Top 24%
Geometric and Algebraic Topology
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.