The H(n)-move is an unknotting operation for virtual and welded links

Abstract

An unknotting operation is a local move such that any knot diagram can be transformed into a diagram of the trivial knot by a finite sequence of these operations plus some Reidemeister moves. It is known that for all [Formula: see text] the [Formula: see text]-move is an unknotting operation for classical knots and links. In this paper, we extend the classical unknotting operation [Formula: see text]-move to virtual knots and links. Virtualization and forbidden move are well-known unknotting operations for virtual knots and links. We also show that virtualization and forbidden move can be realized by a finite sequence of generalized Reidemeister moves and [Formula: see text]-moves.