Alexander polynomials and hyperbolic volume of arborescent links

Abstract

We realize a given (monic) Alexander polynomial by a (fibered) hyperbolic arborescent knot and link of any number of components, and by infinitely many such links of at least 4 components. As a consequence, a Mahler measure minimizing polynomial, if it exists, is realized as the Alexander polynomial of a fibered hyperbolic link of at least 2 components. For given polynomial, we give also an upper bound on the minimal hyperbolic volume of knots/links, and contrarily, construct knots of arbitrarily large volume, which are arborescent, or have given free genus at least 2.