In this paper we construct a multivariable link invariant arising from the quantum group associated to the special linear Lie superalgebra sl(2|1). The usual quantum group invariant of links associated to (generic) representations of sl(2|1) is trivial. However, we modify this construction and define a nontrivial link invariant. This new invariant can be thought of as a multivariable version of the Links-Gould invariant. We also show that after a variable reduction our invariant specializes to the Conway potential function, which is a version of the multivariable Alexander polynomial.
We derive a formula for the weight system of the multivariable Alexander polynomial using determinants, show that it obeys known relations, and satisfies some of the same relations as the single variable polynomial.
A simple multivariable version of the reduced Burau matrix is constructed for any braid. It is shown how the multivariable Alexander polynomial for the closure of the braid can be found directly from this matrix.
We study various specializations of the colored HOMFLY-PT polynomial. These specializations are used to show that the multivariable link invariants arising from a complex family of sl(m|n) super-modules previously defined by the authors contains both the multivariable Alexander polynomial and Kashaev's invariants. We conjecture these multivariable link invariants also specialize to the generalized multivariable Alexander invariants defined by Y. Akutsu, T. Deguchi, and T. Ohtsuki.
We show how Seifert surfaces, so useful for the understanding of the Alexander polynomial Δ_L(t), can be generalized in order to study the multivariable Alexander polynomial Δ_L(t_1,...,t_μ). In particular, we give an elementary and geometric proof of the Torres formula.
The multivariable Conway function is generalized to oriented framed trivalent graphs equipped with additional structure (coloring). This is done via refinements of Reshetikhin-Turaev functors based on irreducible representations of quantized gl(1|1) and sl(2). The corresponding face state sum models for the generalized Conway function are presented.
We develop a diagrammatic calculus for representations of unrolled quantum $\mathfrak{sl}_2$ at a fourth root of unity. This allows us to prove Seifert-Torres type formulas for certain splice links using quantum algebraic methods, rather than topological methods. Other applications of this diagrammatic calculus given here are a skein relation for $n$-cabled double crossings and a simple proof that the quantum invariant associated with these representations determines the multivariable Alexander polynomial.
Oleg Viro studied in arXiv:math/0204290 two interpretations of the (multivariable) Alexander polynomial as a quantum link invariant: either by considering the quasi triangular Hopf algebra associated to $U_q sl(2)$ at fourth roots of unity, or by considering the super Hopf algebra $U_q gl(1|1)$. In this paper, we show these Hopf algebras share properties with the $-1$ specialization of $U_q gl(n|1)$ leading to the proof of a conjecture of David De Wit, Atsushi Ishii and Jon Links on the Links-Gould invariants.
This paper generalize [7](math.GT/0601291): We construct new links invariants from g, a type I basic classical Lie superalgebra. The construction uses the existence of an unexpected replacement of the vanishing quantum dimension of typical module. Using this, we get a multivariable link invariant associated to any one parameter family of irreducible g-modules.
We show two results about the Conway potential function which is known as the normalized multivariable Alexander polynomial. We first show that the Conway potential function introduced by Kauffman in "Formal Knot Theory" is indeed a link invariant. Next we show that Kauffman's potential function equals Hartley's potential function. We will prove it by using Murakami's axioms for the multivariable Alexander polynomial.
We study generalizations of a classical link invariant -- the multivariable Alexander polynomial -- to tangles. The starting point is Archibald's tMVA invariant for virtual tangles which lives in the setting of circuit algebras, and whose target space has dimension that is exponential in the number of strands. Using the Hodge star map and restricting to tangles without closed components, we define a reduction of the tMVA to an invariant "rMVA" which is valued in matrices with Laurent polynomial entries, and so has a much more compact target space. We show the rMVA has the structure of a metamo…
In this note, we consider the problem of constructing knot invariants from Yang-Baxter operators associated to (unitary associative) algebra structures. We first compute the enhancements of these operators. Then, we conclude that Turaev's procedure to construct knot invariants, as modified by Murakami, invariably produces from those enhanced Yang-Baxter operators the Alexander polynomial.
We introduce a new invariant of tangles along with an algebraic framework in which to understand it. We claim that the invariant contains the classical Alexander polynomial of knots and its multivariable extension to links. We argue that of the computationally efficient members of the family of Alexander invariants, it is the most meaningful. These are lecture notes for talks given by the first author, written and completed by the second. The talks, with handouts and videos, are available at http://www.math.toronto.edu/drorbn/Talks/Regina-1206/. See also further comments at http://www.math.tor…
Balloons are two-dimensional spheres. Hoops are one dimensional loops. Knotted Balloons and Hoops (KBH) in 4-space behave much like the first and second homotopy groups of a topological space - hoops can be composed as in π_1, balloons as in π_2, and hoops "act" on balloons as π_1 acts on π_2. We observe that ordinary knots and tangles in 3-space map into KBH in 4-space and become amalgams of both balloons and hoops. We give an ansatz for a tree and wheel (that is, free-Lie and cyclic word) -valued invariant ζof (ribbon) KBHs in terms of the said compositions and action and we explain its rela…
Given a transverse knot $K$ in a three dimensional contact manifold $(Y,α)$, in [13] Colin, Ghiggini, Honda and Hutchings define a hat version of embedded contact homology for $K$, that we call $\widehat{ECK}(K,Y,α)$, and conjecture that it is isomorphic to the knot Floer homology $\widehat{HFK}(K,Y)$. We define here a full version $ECK(K,Y,α)$ and generalise the definitions to the case of links. We prove then that, if $Y = S^3$, $ECK$ and $\widehat{ECK}$ categorify the (multivariable) Alexander polynomial of knots and links, obtaining expressions analogue to that for knot and link Floer homol…
In this paper we give a re-normalization of the Reshetikhin-Turaev quantum invariants of links, by modified quantum dimensions. In the case of simple Lie algebras these modified quantum dimensions are proportional to the usual quantum dimensions. More interestingly we will give two examples where the usual quantum dimensions vanish but the modified quantum dimensions are non-zero and lead to non-trivial link invariants. The first of these examples is a class of invariants arising from Lie superalgebras previously defined by the first two authors. These link invariants are multivariable and gen…
We define polynomial tangle invariants $\nabla_T^s$ via Kauffman states and Alexander codes and investigate some of their properties. In particular, we prove symmetry relations for $\nabla_T^s$ of 4-ended tangles and deduce that the multivariable Alexander polynomial is invariant under Conway mutation. The invariants $\nabla_T^s$ can be interpreted naturally via Heegaard diagrams for tangles. This leads to a categorified version of $\nabla_T^s$: a Heegaard Floer homology $\widehat{\operatorname{HFT}}$ for tangles, which we define as a bordered sutured invariant. We discuss a bigrading on $\wid…
We show that the coefficients of the re-normalized link invariants of the paper "Multivariable link invariants arising from Lie superalgebras of type I" are Vassiliev invariants which give rise to a canonical family of weight systems.
Quandle is an algebraic system with one binary operation, but it is quite different from a group. Quandle has its origin in the knot theory and good relationships with the theory of symmetric spaces, so it is well-studied from points of view of both areas. In the present paper, we investigate a special kind of quandles, called generalized Alexander quandles $Q(G,ψ)$, which is defined by a group $G$ together with its group automorphism $ψ$. We develop the quandle invariants for generalized Alexander quandles. As a result, we prove that there is a one-to-one correspondence between generalized Al…
A string link S can be closed in a canonical way to produce an ordinary closed link L. We also consider a twisted closing which produces a knot K. We give a formula for the Conway polynomial of L as a product of the Conway polynomial of K times a power series whose coefficients are given as explicit functions of the Milnor invariants of S. One consequence is a formula for the first non-vanishing coefficient of the Conway polynomial of L in terms of the Milnor invariants of L. There is an analogous factorization of the multivariable Alexander polynomial.
The instanton Floer homology of a knot in the three-sphere is a vector space with a canonical mod 2 grading. It carries a distinguished endomorphism of even degree,arising from the 2-dimensional homology class represented by a Seifert surface. The Floer homology decomposes as a direct sum of the generalized eigenspaces of this endomorphism. We show that the Euler characteristics of these generalized eigenspaces are the coefficients of the Alexander polynomial of the knot. Among other applications, we deduce that instanton homology detects fibered knots.
A polynomial invariant of virtual links, arising from an invariant of links in thickened surfaces introduced by Jaeger, Kauffman, and Saleur, is defined and its properties are investigated. Examples are given that the invariant can detect chirality and even non-invertibility of virtual knots and links. Furthermore, it is shown that the polynomial satisfies a Conway-type skein relation - in contrast to the Alexander polynomial derived from the virtual link group.
We construct knot invariants from the radical part of projective modules of restricted quantum groups. We also show a relation between these invariants and the colored Alexander invariants.
The goal of this paper is to characterization generalized Alexander quandles of finite groups in the language of the underlying groups. Firstly, we prove that if finite groups $G$ are simple, then the quandle isomorphic classes of generalized Alexander quandles of $G$ one-to-one correspond to the conjugacy classes of the automorphism groups of $G$. This correspondence can be also claimed for the case of symmetric groups. Secondly, we give a characterization of generalized Alexander quandles of finite groups $G$ under some assumptions in terms of $G$. As corollaries of this characterization, we…
We survey the cohomology jumping loci and the Alexander-type invariants associated to a space, or to its fundamental group. Though most of the material is expository, we provide new examples and applications, which in turn raise several questions and conjectures. The jump loci of a space X come in two basic flavors: the characteristic varieties, or, the support loci for homology with coefficients in rank 1 local systems, and the resonance varieties, or, the support loci for the homology of the cochain complexes arising from multiplication by degree 1 classes in the cohomology ring of X. The ge…
Let $G$ be a group and $φ\in \Aut(G)$. Then the set $G$ equipped with the binary operation $a*b=φ(ab^{-1})b$ gives a quandle structure on $G$, denoted by $\Alex(G, φ)$ and called the generalised Alexander quandle. When $G$ is additive abelian and $φ= -\id_G$, then $\Alex(G, φ)$ is the well-known Takasaki quandle. In this paper, we determine the group of automorphisms and inner automorphisms of Takasaki quandles of abelian groups with no 2-torsion, and Alexander quandles of finite abelian groups with respect to fixed-point free automorphisms. As an application, we prove that if $G\cong (\mathbb…
Given a fibered link, consider the characteristic polynomial of the monodromy restricted to first homology. This generalizes the notion of the Alexander polynomial of a knot. We define a construction, called iterated plumbing, to create a sequence of fibered links from a given one. The resulting sequence of characteristic polynomials has the same form as those arising in work of Salem and Boyd in their study of distributions of Salem and P-V numbers. From this we deduce information about the asymptotic behavior of the large roots of the generalized Alexander polynomials, and define a new poset…
We provide obstructions to a link in $S^3$ arising as the cross section of any number of unlinked spheres in $S^4$. Our obstructions arise from the multivariable signature, the Blanchfield form and generalised Seifert matrices. We also obtain obstructions in the case of surfaces of higher genera, leading to a lower bound on the doubly slice genus of links.
We introduce the notion of a relative spherical category. We prove that such a category gives rise to the generalized Kashaev and Turaev-Viro-type 3-manifold invariants defined in arXiv:1008.3103 and arXiv:0910.1624, respectively. In this case we show that these invariants are equal and extend to what we call a relative Homotopy Quantum Field Theory which is a branch of the Topological Quantum Field Theory founded by E. Witten and M. Atiyah. Our main examples of relative spherical categories are the categories of finite dimensional weight modules over non-restricted quantum groups considered b…
This survey covers some of the results contained in the papers by Costantino, Geer and Patureau (https://arxiv.org/abs/1202.3553) and by Blanchet, Costantino, Geer and Patureau (https://arxiv.org/abs/1404.7289). In the first one the authors construct two families of Reshetikhin-Turaev-type invariants of 3-manifolds, $\mathrm{N}_r$ and $\mathrm{N}^0_r$, using non-semisimple categories of representations of a quantum version of $\mathfrak{sl}_2$ at a $2r$-th root of unity with $r \geqslant 2$. The secondary invariants $\mathrm{N}^0_r$ conjecturally extend the original Reshetikhin-Turaev quantum …
