Concordances to prime hyperbolic virtual knots

Let $Σ_0,Σ_1$ be closed oriented surfaces. Two oriented knots $K_0 \subset Σ_0 \times [0,1]$ and $K_1 \subset Σ_1 \times [0,1]$ are said to be (virtually) concordant if there is a compact oriented $3$-manifold $W$ and a smoothly and properly embedded annulus $A$ in $W \times [0,1]$ such that $\partial W=Σ_1 \sqcup -Σ_0$ and $\partial A=K_1 \sqcup -K_0$. This notion of concordance, due to Turaev, is equivalent to concordance of virtual knots, due to Kauffman. A prime virtual knot, in the sense of Matveev, is one for which no thickened surface representative $K \subset Σ\times [0,1]$ admits a nontrivial decomposition along a separating vertical annulus that intersects $K$ in two points. Here we prove that every knot $K \subset Σ\times [0,1]$ is concordant to a prime satellite knot and a prime hyperbolic knot. For homologically trivial knots in $Σ\times [0,1]$, we prove this can be done so that the Alexander polynomial is preserved. This generalizes the corresponding results for classical knot concordance, due to Bleiler, Kirby-Lickorish, Livingston, Myers, Nakanishi, and Soma. The new challenge for virtual knots lies in proving primeness. Contrary to the classical case, not every hyperbolic knot in $Σ\times [0,1]$ is prime and not every composite knot is a satellite. Our results are obtained using a generalization of tangles in $3$-balls we call complementary tangles. Properties of complementary tangles are studied in detail.

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