An estimation of Hempel distance by using Reeb graph

Abstract

Let $P, Q$ be Heegaard surfaces of a closed orientable 3-manifold. In this paper, we introduce a method for giving an upper bound of Hempel distance of $P$ by using the Reeb graph derived from a certain horizontal arc in the ambient space $[0,1]\times[0,1]$ of the Rubinstein-Scharlemann graphic derived from $P$ and $Q$. This is a refinement of a part of Johnson's arguments used for determining stable genera required for flipping high distance Heegaard splittings.