Kauffman polynomial

In knot theory, the Kauffman polynomial is a 2-variable knot polynomial due to Louis Kauffman. It is initially defined on a link diagram as , where is the writhe of the link diagram and is a polynomial in a and z defined on link diagrams by the following properties: * (O is the unknot). * * L is unchanged under type II and III Reidemeister moves. Here is a strand and (resp. ) is the same strand with a right-handed (resp. left-handed) curl added (using a type I Reidemeister move). Additionally L must satisfy Kauffman's skein relation:

Kauffman polynomial

In knot theory, the Kauffman polynomial is a 2-variable knot polynomial due to Louis Kauffman. It is initially defined on a link diagram as , where is the writhe of the link diagram and is a polynomial in a and z defined on link diagrams by the following properties: * (O is the unknot). * * L is unchanged under type II and III Reidemeister moves. Here is a strand and (resp. ) is the same strand with a right-handed (resp. left-handed) curl added (using a type I Reidemeister move). Additionally L must satisfy Kauffman's skein relation: