Towards a Splitter Theorem for Internally $4$-connected Binary Matroids VI

TL;DR

This paper advances the theory of internally 4-connected binary matroids by establishing conditions under which such matroids contain smaller internally 4-connected minors with specific properties, aiding the development of a splitter theorem.

Contribution

It proves that under certain conditions, an internally 4-connected binary matroid has a smaller such minor obtainable by removing at most three elements or from special substructures, progressing toward a splitter theorem.

Findings

Identifies conditions for the existence of smaller internally 4-connected minors

Shows how to obtain minors by removing at most three elements

Provides structural insights into special substructures of matroids

Abstract

Let $M$ be a $3$-connected binary matroid; $M$ is called internally $4$-connected if one side of every $3$-separation is a triangle or a triad, and $M$ is $(4,4,S)$-connected if one side of every $3$-separation is a triangle, a triad, or a $4$-element fan. Assume $M$ is internally $4$-connected and that neither $M$ nor its dual is a cubic M\"{o}bius or planar ladder or a certain coextension thereof. Let $N$ be an internally $4$-connected proper minor of $M$. Our aim is to show that $M$ has a proper internally $4$-connected minor with an $N$-minor that can be obtained from $M$ either by removing at most four elements, or by removing elements in an easily described way from a special substructure of $M$. When this aim cannot be met, the earlier papers in this series showed that, up to duality, $M$ has a good bowtie, that is, a pair, $\{x_1,x_2,x_3\}$ and $\{x_4,x_5,x_6\}$, of disjoint triangles and a cocircuit, $\{x_2,x_3,x_4,x_5\}$, where $M\backslash x_3$ has an $N$-minor and is $(4,4,S)$-connected. We also showed that, when $M$ has a good bowtie, either $M\backslash x_3,x_6$ has an $N$-minor; or $M\backslash x_3/x_2$ has an $N$-minor and is $(4,4,S)$-connected. In this paper, we show that, when $M\backslash x_3,x_6$ has an $N$-minor but is not $(4,4,S)$-connected, $M$ has an internally $4$-connected proper minor with an $N$-minor that can be obtained from $M$ by removing at most three elements, or by removing elements in a well-described way from one of several special substructures of $M$. This is a significant step towards obtaining a splitter theorem for the class of internally $4$-connected binary matroids.