On bipartite circle graphs and Khovanov homology

Abstract

We prove that independence complex of a bipartite circle graph is homotopy equivalent to a wedge of spheres, resolving a conjecture posed by Przytycki and Silvero. As a corollary, we obtain that extreme Khovanov spectrum, $\mathcal{X}_{j_{extreme}}$ is homotopy equivalent to a wedge of spheres. In particular, the extreme Khovanov homology has no torsion.