All two dimensional links are null homotopic

We show that any number of disjointly embedded 2–spheres in 4–space can be pulled apart by a link homotopy, ie, by a motion in which the 2–spheres stay disjoint but are allowed to self-intersect.

Keywords

Link homotopy, Milnor group, concordance

Mathematical Subject Classification

Primary: 57Q45

Secondary: 57Q60

References

Forward citations

Publication

Received: 21 May 1999

Revised: 27 August 1999

Accepted: 1 September 1999

Published: 2 September 1999

Proposed: Robion Kirby

Seconded: Cameron Gordon, Joan Birman

Authors

Arthur C Bartels
University of California at San Diego La Jolla California 92093-0112 USA

Peter Teichner
University of California at San Diego La Jolla California 92093-0112 USA

Volume 3, issue 1 (1999)

Arthur C Bartels and Peter Teichner