A bound on the equivariant unknotting number

Abstract

We study how the equivariant signature of strongly invertible knots changes when one of the Boyle-Chen equivariant unknotting moves is applied. It follows form our results that the absolute value of the equivariant signature introduced by Alfieri-Boyle gives a lower bound to three times the equivariant unknotting number.

19 pages, 10 figures, minor changes before journal submission