Shrinking braids and Left distributive monoid

Abstract

We consider a natural generalization of braids which we call shrinking braids. We state the relations of shrinking braids and use them to define algebraically the monoid $R$. We endow a subset of $R$ with a \emph{left distributive monoid} structure and use it to extend the Dehornoy order on $B_{\infty }$ to an order on $R$. By using this order, we prove that $R$ is isomorphic to the monoid which is generated (geometrically) by shrinking braids.

27 pages, 8 figures