arXiv research

The paper calculates Alexander polynomials for knots using finite group representations.

New method computes knot invariants using free group automorphisms.

We give a classification of irreducible metabelian representations from a knot group into SL(n,C) and GL(n,C). If the homology of the n-fold branched cover of the knot is finite, we show that every irreducible metabelian SL(n,C) representation is conjugate to a unitary representation and that the set of conjugacy class…

Study local structure of knot group representations into SL(n,C).

The paper explores representations of specific knot groups and their properties.

Based on the analogies between knot theory and number theory, we study a deformation theory for SL_2-representations of knot groups, following after Mazur's deformation theory of Galois representations. Firstly, by employing the pseudo-SL_2-representations, we prove the existence of the universal deformation of a given…

A torus-covering $T^2$-knot is a surface-knot of genus one determined from a pair of commutative braids. For a torus-covering $T^2$-knot $F$, we determine the number of irreducible metabelian $SU(2)$-representations of the knot group of $F$ in terms of the knot determinant of $F$. It is similar to the result due to Lin…

Constructs six-dimensional braid group representations for knot detection.

New method for knot group representations without polyhedral decompositions.

For any knot, the following are equivalent. (1) The infinite cyclic cover has uncountably many finite covers; (2) there exists a finite-image representation of the knot group for which the twisted Alexander polynomial vanishes; (3) the knot group admits a finite-image representation such that the image of the fundament…

Given an abelian group $A$ and a Lie group $G$, we construct a bilinear pairing from $A\timesπ_1({\mathcal R})$ to $π_1(G)$, where $\mathcal R$ is a subvariety of the variety of representations $A\to G$. In the case where $A$ is the peripheral subgroup of a torus or two-bridge knot group, $G=S^1$ and $\mathcal R$ is a …

The aim of this article is to study the existence of certain reducible, metabelian representations of knot groups into $\mathrm{SL}(n,\mathbf{C})$ which generalise the representations studied previously by G.~Burde and G.~de Rham. Under specific hypotheses we prove the existence of irreducible deformations of such repr…

The paper reinterprets knot group invariants using affine transformations.

Researchers study rational and pretzel knots using affine group representations.

An $(m,n)$-branched twist spin is a fibered $2$-knot in $S^4$ which is determined by a $1$-knot $K$ and coprime integers $m$ and $n$. For a $1$-knot, Lin proved that the number of irreducible $SL(2,\mathbb{C})$-metabelian representations of the knot group of a $1$-knot up to conjugation is determined by the knot determ…

Method produces faithful representations of Garside groups and torus knot groups.

New method detects left-orderable surgeries on knot 6_2.

New knot theory module shows torsion-ness in number theory.

Study parabolic representations of knots using quandles and polynomials.

Paper discusses groups where twisted Alexander polynomials vanish.

The paper proves a criterion for L-space knots and their representations.

Let K be a knot in $S^3$ and $X$ its complement. We study deformations of reducible metabelian representations of the knot group $π_1(X)$ into $SL(3,\mathbb{C})$ which are associated to a double root of the Alexander polynomial. We prove that these reducible metabelian representations are smooth points of the represent…

The first part of this article is a general introduction to the the theory of representation spaces of discrete groups into SL(n,C). Special attention is paid to knot groups. In Section 2 we discuss the difference between the tangent space at the representation variety, and the representation scheme. We give an example…

New Alexander invariant classes computed for knot group representations.

Twisted Alexander invariants have been defined for any knot and linear representation of its group. The invariants are generalized for any periodic representation of the commutator subgroup of the knot group. Properties of the new twisted invariants are given. Under suitable hypotheses, reciprocality and bounds on the …

The paper constructs paths of SL2(R) representations for pretzel knots and shows left-orderability conditions.

It is known, since works of Burde and de Rham, that one can detect the roots of the Alexander polynomial of a knot by the study of the representations of the knot group into the group of the invertible upper triangular $2x2$ matrices. In this work, we propose to generalize this result by considering the representations…

We present two different representations of (1,1)-knots and study some connections between them. The first representation is algebraic: every (1,1)-knot is represented by an element of the pure mapping class group of the twice punctured torus. The second representation is parametric: every (1,1)-knot can be represented…

Paper constructs representations for virtual braids and flat braids.

We construct knot invariants categorifying the quantum knot variants for all representations of quantum groups. We show that these invariants coincide with previous invariants defined by Khovanov for sl(2) and sl(3) and by Mazorchuk-Stroppel and Sussan for sl(n). Our technique uses categorifications of the tensor produ…

We show that a non-trivial, non-central normal subgroup of the braid groups contains a braid whose closure is a hyperbolic knot with arbitrary large genus. This shows that non-faithfulness of a quantum representation implies that the corresponding quantum invariant fails to detect the unknot. The proof utilizes the Deh…

Let $K$ be a knot in $S^3$ and $X$ its complement. We study deformations of non-abelian, metabelian, reducible representations of the knot group $π\_1(X)$ into $\mathrm{SL}(n,\mathbf{C})$ which are associated to a simple root of the Alexander polynomial. We prove that certain of these metabelian reducible representatio…

This paper extends knot invariants using instantons to study torus knot groups.

Given a knot K in an integral homology sphere with exterior N_K, there is a natural action of the cyclic group Z/n on the space of SL(n,C) representations of the knot group π_1(N_K), and this induces an action on the SL(n,C) character variety. We identify the fixed points of this action in terms of characters of metabe…

Suppose the knot group G(K) of a knot K has a non-abelian representation ρon A_4 \subset GL(4,Z). We conjecture that the twisted Alexander polynomial of K associated to ρis of the form: Δ_K(t)/(1-t) φ(t^3), where Δ_K (t) is the Alexander polynomial of K and φ(t^3) is an integer polynomial in t^3. We prove the conjectur…

Classifies symmetries of knots using group actions and orthogonal representation theory.

A group-theoretical method, via Wada's representations, is presented to distinguish Kishino's virtual knot from the unknot. Biquandles are constructed for any group using Wada's braid group representations. Cocycle invariants for these biquandles are studied. These invariants are applied to show the non-existence of Al…

We discuss the fundamental (relative) 3-classes of knots (or hyperbolic links), and provide diagrammatic descriptions of the push-forwards with respect to every link-group representation. The point is an observation of a bridge between the relative group homology and quandle homology from the viewpoints of Inoue--Kabay…

The paper connects knot representations and spherical quandle colorings.

We study certain linear representations of the knot group that induce augmentations of knot contact homology. This perspective on augmentations enhances our understanding of the relationship between the augmentation polynomial and the A-polynomial of the knot. For example, we show that for 2-bridge knots the polynomial…

The colored Jones polynomial of the figure-eight knot connects to an SL(2;R) representation.

We study the twisted knot module for the universal deformation of an ${\rm SL}_2$-representation of a knot group, and introduce an associated $L$-function, which may be seen as an analogue of the algebraic $p$-adic $L$-function associated to the Selmer module for the universal deformation of a Galois representation. We…

Quantum theory constructs a group and skein module for knot complements.

We review recent developments in the theory of Thompson group representations related to knot theory.

Character varieties of knot groups into SU(3) are stratified and analyzed.

Fast algorithm for braid group Hecke representation, applied to knot invariants.

Study shows exponential growth of knot polynomial tied to Chern-Simons invariant.

For a knot K in S^3 we construct according to Casson--or more precisely taking into account Lin and Heusener's further works--a volume form on the SU(2)-representation space of the group of K. We prove that this volume form is a topological knot invariant and explore some of its properties.