A topological viewpoint on curves via intersection

TL;DR

This paper investigates how closed curves on surfaces can be characterized by their intersection patterns, introducing $k$-equivalent curves and providing a quantitative perspective on Otal's theorem.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of $k$-equivalent curves and offers a quantitative approach to understanding how curves are determined by intersections.

Findings

$k$-equivalent curves intersect all simple curves similarly.

Non-simple curves require infinitely many intersections to be distinguished.

Provides a new perspective on Otal's theorem relating curves and intersections.

Abstract

This paper explores the relationship between closed curves on surfaces and their intersections. Like Dehn-Thurston coordinates for simple curves, we explore how to determine closed curves using the number of times they intersect other curves. We construct and study $k$-equivalent curves: these are distinct curves that intersect all curves with $k$ self-intersection points the same number of times. We show that such curves must intersect all simple curves in the same way, but that all other possible implications fail. Our methods give a quantitative approach to a theorem of Otal which shows that curves are determined by their intersection with all other curves. In the opposite direction, we show that non-simple curves can only be distinguished by looking at their intersection with infinitely many curves.