Abstract. A closed-plane meander of order n is a closed self-avoiding curve intersecting an infinite line 2n times. Meanders are considered distinct up to any smooth deformation leaving the line fixed. We have developed an improved algorithm, based on transfer matrix methods, for the enumeration of plane meanders. While the algorithm has exponential complexity, its rate of growth is much smaller than that of previous algorithms. The algorithm is easily modified to enumerate various systems of closed meanders, semi-meanders, open meanders and many other geometries.

Print publication: Issue 34 (1 September 2000)
Received 2 May 2000, in final form 23 June 2000