The extended polar writhe: a tool for open curves mechanics

Prior, C.B.; Neukirch, S.

Abstract

A measure of the writhing of a curve is introduced and is used to extend the C?lug?reanu? decomposition for closed curves, as well as the polar decomposition for curves bound between planes. The new writhe measure is also shown to be able to assess changes in linking due to belt-trick and knotting type deformations, and further its utility is illustrated on examples taken from elastic rod parameter-continuation studies. Finally C++ and mathematica codes are made available and shown to be faster than existing algorithms for the numerical computation of the writhe.

Citation

Prior, C., & Neukirch, S. (2016). The extended polar writhe: a tool for open curves mechanics. Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical, 49(21), Article 215201. https://doi.org/10.1088/1751-8113/49/21/215201

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 22, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Apr 20, 2016
• Publication Date: May 27, 2016
• Deposit Date: Apr 21, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 20, 2017
• Journal: Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical
• Print ISSN: 1751-8113
• Electronic ISSN: 1751-8121
• Publisher: IOP Publishing
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 49
• Issue: 21
• Article Number: 215201
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1751-8113/49/21/215201
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1406414