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  • © 2019

An Introduction to Quantum and Vassiliev Knot Invariants

  • Introduces key concepts and constructions both diagrammatic and algebraic in the field
  • Exemplifies aspects of problem solving approaches inherent in mathematics
  • Demonstrates a range of mathematical concepts tangibly through instantiations in context
  • Exposes reader to foundations and applications of mathematical constructions
  • Provides exercises throughout text

Part of the book series: CMS Books in Mathematics (CMSBM)

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Table of contents (18 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xx
  2. Basic Knot Theory

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
    2. Knots

      • David M. Jackson, Iain Moffatt
      Pages 3-22
    3. Knot and Link Invariants

      • David M. Jackson, Iain Moffatt
      Pages 23-35
    4. Framed Links

      • David M. Jackson, Iain Moffatt
      Pages 37-48
    5. Braids and the Braid Group

      • David M. Jackson, Iain Moffatt
      Pages 49-59
  3. Quantum Knot Invariants

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 61-61
    2. R-Matrix Representations of \(\mathfrak {B}_n\)

      • David M. Jackson, Iain Moffatt
      Pages 63-73
    3. Operator Invariants

      • David M. Jackson, Iain Moffatt
      Pages 91-121
    4. Ribbon Hopf Algebras

      • David M. Jackson, Iain Moffatt
      Pages 123-148
    5. Reshetikhin–Turaev Invariants

      • David M. Jackson, Iain Moffatt
      Pages 149-163
  4. Vassiliev Invariants

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 165-165
    2. The Fundamentals of Vassiliev Invariants

      • David M. Jackson, Iain Moffatt
      Pages 167-179
    3. Chord Diagrams

      • David M. Jackson, Iain Moffatt
      Pages 181-209
    4. Vassiliev Invariants of Framed Knots

      • David M. Jackson, Iain Moffatt
      Pages 211-217
    5. Jacobi Diagrams

      • David M. Jackson, Iain Moffatt
      Pages 219-248
    6. Lie Algebra Weight Systems

      • David M. Jackson, Iain Moffatt
      Pages 249-280
  5. The Kontsevich Invariant

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 281-281
    2. q-Tangles

      • David M. Jackson, Iain Moffatt
      Pages 283-291

About this book

This book provides an accessible introduction to knot theory, focussing on Vassiliev invariants, quantum knot invariants constructed via representations of quantum groups, and how these two apparently distinct theories come together through the Kontsevich invariant. Consisting of four parts, the book opens with an introduction to the fundamentals of knot theory, and to knot invariants such as the Jones polynomial. The second part introduces quantum invariants of knots, working constructively from first principles towards the construction of Reshetikhin-Turaev invariants and a description of how these arise through Drinfeld and Jimbo's quantum groups. Its third part offers an introduction to Vassiliev invariants, providing a careful account of how chord diagrams and Jacobi diagrams arise in the theory, and the role that Lie algebras play. The final part of the book introduces the Konstevich invariant. This is a universal quantum invariant and a universal Vassiliev invariant, and brings together these two seemingly different families of knot invariants. The book provides a detailed account of the construction of the Jones polynomial via the quantum groups attached to sl(2), the Vassiliev weight system arising from sl(2), and how these invariants come together through the Kontsevich invariant.


Reviews

 “This text is a comprehensive and well written introduction to quantum and Vassiliev invariants of knots. … There is sufficient detail for students and exercises. The text is also an excellent reference for researchers interested in quantum and Vassiliev invariants.” (Heather A. Dye, zbMATH 1425.57007, 2019)  

Authors and Affiliations

  • Faculty of Mathematics, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada

    David M. Jackson

  • Department of Mathematics, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, UK

    Iain Moffatt

About the authors

  

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 59.99 USD 109.00
45% discount Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book USD 79.99 USD 139.99
43% discount Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access