Computable Legendrian invariants

We establish tools to facilitate the computation and application of the Chekanov-Eliashberg differential graded algebra (DGA), a Legendrian-isotopy invariant of Legendrian knots and links in standard contact three space. More specifically, we reformulate the DGA in terms of front projections, and introduce the characteristic algebra, a new invariant derived from the DGA. We use our techniques to distinguish between several previously indistinguishable Legendrian knots and links.     

The Gauss map of a hypersurface in Euclidean sphere and the spherical Legendrian duality

We investigate the Gauss map of a hypersurface in Euclidean n-sphere as an application of the theory of Legendrian singularities. We can interpret the image of the Gauss map as the wavefront set of a Legendrian immersion into a certain contact manifold. We interpret the geometric meaning of the singularities of the Gauss map from this point of view.     

Maximal Thurston-Bennequin numbers of alternating links

We show that the upper bound of the maximal Thurston-Bennequin number for an oriented alternating link given by the Kauffman polynomial is sharp. As an application, we confirm a question of Ferrand. We also give a formula of the maximal Thurston-Bennequin number for all two-bridge links. Finally, we introduce knot concordance invariants derived from the Thurston-Bennequin number and the Maslov number of a Legendrian knot.     

Reidemeister–Turaev torsion of 3-dimensional¶Euler structures with simple boundary tangency¶and pseudo-Legendrian knots

We generalize Turaev's definition of torsion invariants of pairs (M,&\xi;), where M is a 3-dimensional manifold and &\xi; is an Euler structure on M (a non-singular vector field up to homotopy relative to ∂M and modifications supported in a ball contained in Int(M)). Namely, we allow M to have arbitrary boundary and &\xi; to have simple (convex and/or concave) tangency circles to the boundary. We prove that Turaev's H ₁(M)-equivariance formula holds also in our generalized context. Using branched standard spines to encode vector fields we show how to explicitly invert Turaev's reconstruction map from combinatorial to smooth Euler structures, thus making the computation of torsions a more effective one. Euler structures of the sort we consider naturally arise in the study of pseudo-Legendrian knots (i.e.~knots transversal to a given vector field), and hence of Legendrian knots in contact 3-manifolds. We show that torsion, as an absolute invariant, contains a lifting to pseudo-Legendrian knots of the classical Alexander invariant. We also precisely analyze the information carried by torsion as a relative invariant of pseudo-Legendrian knots which are framed-isotopic. Received: 3 October 2000 / Revised version: 20 April 2001     

Positive open book decompositions of Stein fillable 3-manifolds along prescribed links

It is known by Loi and Piergallini that a closed, oriented, smooth 3-manifold is Stein fillable if and only if it has a positive open book decomposition. In the present paper we will show that for every link L in a Stein fillable 3-manifold there exists an additional knot L^′ to L such that the link L∪L^′ is the binding of a positive open book decomposition of the Stein fillable 3-manifold. To prove the assertion, we will use the divide, which is a generalization of real morsification theory of complex plane curve singularities, and 2-handle attachings along Legendrian curves.     

On caustics of submanifolds and canal hypersurfaces in Euclidean space

We investigate a relationship between the caustics of a submanifold of general dimension and of a canal hypersurface of the submanifold in Euclidean space. As a consequence, these caustics are the same. Moreover, induced Lagrangian immersion germs are Lagrangian equivalent under a suitable condition. In order to show the results, we use the theory of Lagrangian singularity and of Legendrian singularity.     

Asymptotic expansion of perturbative Chern-Simons theory via Wiener space

The Chern-Simons integral is divided into a sum of finitely many resp. infinitely many contributions. A mathematical meaning is given to the “finite part” and an asymptotic estimate of the other part is given, using the abstract Wiener space setting. The latter takes the form of an asymptotic expansion in powers of a charge, using the infinite-dimensional Malliavin-Taniguchi formula for a change of variables.     

Modifying a branched surface to carry a foliation

We consider C¹ nonsingular flows on a closed 3-manifold under which there is no transverse disk that flows continuously back into its own interior. We provide an algorithm for modifying any branched surface transverse to such a flow ? that terminates in a branched surface carrying a foliation F precisely when F is transverse to ?. As a corollary, we find branched surfaces that do not carry foliations but that lift to ones that do.     

On reciprocity

We prove a reciprocity formula between Gauss sums that is used in the computation of certain quantum invariants of 3-manifolds. Our proof uses the discriminant construction applied to the tensor product of lattices.     

The Hopf invariant of a Haefliger knot

We show that for any given differentiable embedding of the three-sphere in six-space there exists a Seifert surface (in six-space) with arbitrarily prescribed signature. This implies, according to our previous paper, that given such a (6,3)-knot endowed with normal one-field, we can construct a Seifert surface so that the outward normal field along its boundary coincides with the given normal one-field. This aspect enables us to understand the resemblance between Ekholm–Szűcs’ formula for the Smale invariant and a formula in our previous paper for differentiable (6,3)-knots. As a consequence, we show that an immersion of the three-sphere in five-space can be regularly homotoped to the projection of an embedding in six-space if and only if its Smale invariant is even. We also correct a sign error in our previous paper: “A geometric formula for Haefliger knots” [Topology 43: 1425–1447 2004].      

Handle attaching in symplectic homology and the Chord Conjecture

Arnold conjectured that every Legendrian knot in the standard contact structure on the 3-sphere possesses a characteristic chord with respect to any contact form. I confirm this conjecture if the know has Thurston-Bennequin invariant −1. More generally, existence of chords is proved for a standard Legendrian unknot on the boundary of a subcritical Stein manifold of any dimension. There is also a multiplicity result which implies in some situations existence of infinitely many chords.?The proof relies on the behaviour of symplectic homology under handle attaching. The main observation is that symplectic homology only changes in the presence of chords. Received July 14, 2000 / final version received June 1, 2001?Published online August 1, 2001     

Inner products on the Hecke algebra of the braid group

We claim that the Homfly polynomial (that is to say, Ocneanu's trace functional) contains two polynomial-valued inner products on the Hecke algebra representation of Artin's braid group. These bear a close connection to the Morton-Franks-Williams inequality. With respect to these structures, the set of positive, respectively negative permutation braids becomes an orthonormal basis. In the second case, many inner products can be geometrically interpreted through Legendrian fronts and rulings.     

On connected sums and Legendrian knots

We study the behavior of Legendrian and transverse knots under the operation of connected sums. As a consequence we show that there exist Legendrian knots that are not distinguished by any known invariant. Moreover, we classify Legendrian knots in some non-Legendrian-simple knot types.     

Second variation and Legendrian stabilities of minimal Legendrian submanifolds in Sasakian manifolds

First, we derive a new second variation formula which holds for minimal Legendrian submanifolds in Sasakian manifolds. Using this, we prove that any minimal Legendrian submanifold in an η-Einstein Sasakian manifold with “nonpositive” η-Ricci constant is stable. Next we introduce the notion of the Legendrian stability of minimal Legendrian submanifolds in Sasakian manifolds. Using our second variation formula, we find a general criterion for the Legendrian stability of minimal Legendrian submanifolds in η-Einstein Sasakian manifolds with “positive” η-Ricci constant.     

Regular Legendrian knots and the HOMFLY polynomial of immersed plane curves

We show that every unframed knot type in has a representative obtained by the Legendrian lifting of an immersed plane curve. This gives a positive answer to the question asked by V.I.Arnold in [3]. The Legendrian lifting lowers the framed version of the HOMFLY polynomial [20] to generic plane curves. We prove that the induced polynomial invariant can be completely defined in terms of plane curves only. Moreover it is a genuine, not Laurent, polynomial in the framing variable. This provides an estimate on the Bennequin-Tabachnikov number of a Legendrian knot. Received: 17 April 1996 / Revised: 12 May 1999 / Published online: 28 June 2000     

Vassiliev invariants of Legendrian, transverse, and framed knots in contact three-manifolds

We show that for a large class of contact three-manifolds the groups of Vassiliev invariants of Legendrian and of framed knots are canonically isomorphic. As a corollary, we obtain that the group of finite order Arnold's J⁺-type invariants of wave fronts on a surface F is isomorphic to the group of Vassiliev invariants of framed knots in the spherical cotangent bundle ST∗F of F.On the other hand, we construct the first examples of contact manifolds for which Vassiliev invariants of Legendrian knots can distinguish Legendrian knots that realize isotopic framed knots and are homotopic as Legendrian immersions.     

Residue formulation of the Chern character on smooth manifolds

The Chern character of a complex vector bundle is most conveniently defined as the exponential of a curvature of a connection. It is well known that its cohomology class does not depend on the particular connection chosen. It has been shown by Quillen that a connection may be perturbed by an endomorphism of the vector bundle, such as a symbol of some elliptic differential operator. This point of view, as we intend to show, allows one to relate Chern character to a noncommutative sibling formulated by Connes and Moscovici.     

Computing rotation and self-linking numbers in contact surgery diagrams

We give an explicit formula to compute the rotation number of a nullhomologous Legendrian knot in contact (1/n)-surgery diagrams along Legendrian links and obtain a corresponding result for the self-linking number of transverse knots. Moreover, we extend the formula by Ding–Geiges–Stipsicz for computing the d₃-invariant to (1/n)-surgeries.     

Separation by a codimension-1 map with a normal crossing point

Letf:M ^n–1N ⁿ be an immersion with normal crossings of a closed orientable (n–1)-manifold into an orientablen-manifold. We show, under a certain homological condition, that iff has a multiple point of multiplicitym, then the number of connected components ofN–f(M) is greater than or equal tom+1, generalizing results of Biasi and Romero Fuster (Illinois J. Math. 36 (1992), 500–504) and Biasi, Motta and Saeki (Topology Appl. 52 (1993), 81–87). In fact, this result holds more generally for every codimension-1 continuous map with a normal crossing point of multiplicitym. We also give various geometrical applications of this theorem, among which is an application to the topology of generic space curves.     

Localization and residue of the Bott class

The Bott class of transversely holomorphic foliations is studied. We first introduce a formula which relates the Bott class and the Godbillon-Vey class. Then a ‘localizable part’ of the Bott class is defined. It is indeed localizable and written in terms of the Godbillon measure studied by Heitsch and Hurder. The above-mentioned formula is reviewed in terms of localizable parts. Finally, complex codimension-one foliations are considered. A version of residue is introduced and it is shown that the Bott class is ‘localized’ near the Julia set in the sense of Ghys-Gomez-Mont-Saludes. Some examples of calculation of the residue are presented.