Alternating links have at most polynomially many Seifert surfaces of fixed genus

Abstract

Let $L$ be a non-split prime alternating link with $n>0$ crossings. We show that for each fixed $g$, the number of genus-$g$ Seifert surfaces for $L$ is bounded by an explicitly given polynomial in $n$. The result also holds for all spanning surfaces of fixed Euler characteristic. Previously known bounds were exponential.

arXiv comment9 pages, 3 figures. To appear in Indiana University Mathematics Journal