# Pretzel links, mutation, and the slice-ribbon conjecture

@article{Aceto2018PretzelLM,
title={Pretzel links, mutation, and the slice-ribbon conjecture},
author={Paolo Aceto and Min Hoon Kim and Junghwan Park and Arunima Ray},
journal={Mathematical Research Letters},
year={2018}
}
• Published 8 May 2018
• Mathematics
• Mathematical Research Letters
Let p and q be distinct integers greater than one. We show that the 2-component pretzel link P(p,q,-p,-q) is not slice, even though it has a ribbon mutant, by using 3-fold branched covers and an obstruction based on Donaldson's diagonalization theorem. Combining this result with previous work of the first author we prove the slice-ribbon conjecture for 4-stranded 2-component pretzel links.
3 Citations

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