sorted_x_links = sorted(all_x_links, key=lambda x: (
        x['l_polymer_row'] == x['r_polymer_row'] and x['l_track'] == x['r_track'],
        x['l_polymer_row'], x['r_polymer_row'],
        x['l_track'], x['r_track'],
        x['l_polymer_col'], x['l_pos'],