Ebook: Torsions of 3-dimensional Manifolds

Three-dimensional topology includes two vast domains: the study of geometric structures on 3-manifolds and the study of topological invariants of 3-manifolds, knots, etc. This book belongs to the second domain. We shall study an invariant called the maximal abelian torsion and denoted T. It is defined for a compact smooth (or piecewise-linear) manifold of any dimension and, more generally, for an arbitrary finite CW-complex X. The torsion T(X) is an element of a certain extension of the group ring Z[Hl(X)]. The torsion T can be naturally considered in the framework of simple homotopy theory. In particular, it is invariant under simple homotopy equivalences and can distinguish homotopy equivalent but non­ homeomorphic CW-spaces and manifolds, for instance, lens spaces. The torsion T can be used also to distinguish orientations and so-called Euler structures. Our interest in the torsion T is due to a particular role which it plays in three-dimensional topology. First of all, it is intimately related to a number of fundamental topological invariants of 3-manifolds. The torsion T(M) of a closed oriented 3-manifold M dominates (determines) the first elementary ideal of 7fl (M) and the Alexander polynomial of 7fl (M). The torsion T(M) is closely related to the cohomology rings of M with coefficients in Z and ZjrZ (r ;::: 2). It is also related to the linking form on Tors Hi (M), to the Massey products in the cohomology of M, and to the Thurston norm on H2(M).

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The book is concerned with one of the most interesting and important topological invariants of 3-dimensional manifolds based on an original idea of Kurt Reidemeister (1935). This invariant, called the maximal abelian torsion, was introduced by the author in 1976. The purpose of the book is to give a systematic exposition of the theory of maximal abelian torsions of 3-manifolds. Apart from publication in scientific journals, many results are recent and appear here for the first time. Topological properties of the torsion are the main focus. This includes a detailed description of relations between the torsion and the Alexander-Fox invariants of the fundamental group. The torsion is shown to be related to the cohomology ring of the manifold and to the linking form. The reader will also find a definition of the torsion norm on the 2-homology of a 3-manifold, and a comparison with the classical Thurston norm. A surgery formula for the torsion is provided which allows to compute it explicitly from a surgery presentation of the manifold. As a special case, this gives a surgery formula for the Alexander polynomial of 3-manifolds. Treated in detail are a number of relevant notions including homology orientations, Euler structures, and Spinc structures on 3-manifolds. Relations between the torsion and the Seiberg-Witten invariants in dimension 3 are briefly discussed. Students and researchers with basic background in algebraic topology and low-dimensional topology will benefit from this monograph. Previous knowledge of the theory of torsions is not required. Numerous exercises and historical remarks as well as a collection of open problems complete the exposition.

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The book is concerned with one of the most interesting and important topological invariants of 3-dimensional manifolds based on an original idea of Kurt Reidemeister (1935). This invariant, called the maximal abelian torsion, was introduced by the author in 1976. The purpose of the book is to give a systematic exposition of the theory of maximal abelian torsions of 3-manifolds. Apart from publication in scientific journals, many results are recent and appear here for the first time. Topological properties of the torsion are the main focus. This includes a detailed description of relations between the torsion and the Alexander-Fox invariants of the fundamental group. The torsion is shown to be related to the cohomology ring of the manifold and to the linking form. The reader will also find a definition of the torsion norm on the 2-homology of a 3-manifold, and a comparison with the classical Thurston norm. A surgery formula for the torsion is provided which allows to compute it explicitly from a surgery presentation of the manifold. As a special case, this gives a surgery formula for the Alexander polynomial of 3-manifolds. Treated in detail are a number of relevant notions including homology orientations, Euler structures, and Spinc structures on 3-manifolds. Relations between the torsion and the Seiberg-Witten invariants in dimension 3 are briefly discussed. Students and researchers with basic background in algebraic topology and low-dimensional topology will benefit from this monograph. Previous knowledge of the theory of torsions is not required. Numerous exercises and historical remarks as well as a collection of open problems complete the exposition.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-x
Generalities on Torsions....Pages 1-11
The Torsion versus the Alexander-Fox Invariants....Pages 13-30
The Torsion versus the Cohomology Rings....Pages 31-51
The Torsion Norm....Pages 53-64
Homology Orientations in Dimension Three....Pages 65-71
Euler Structures on 3-manifolds....Pages 73-80
A Gluing Formula with Applications....Pages 81-97
Surgery Formulas for Torsions....Pages 99-118
The Torsion Function....Pages 119-137
Torsion of Rational Homology Spheres....Pages 139-160
Spin c Structures....Pages 161-173
Miscellaneous....Pages 175-185
Back Matter....Pages 187-198

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The book is concerned with one of the most interesting and important topological invariants of 3-dimensional manifolds based on an original idea of Kurt Reidemeister (1935). This invariant, called the maximal abelian torsion, was introduced by the author in 1976. The purpose of the book is to give a systematic exposition of the theory of maximal abelian torsions of 3-manifolds. Apart from publication in scientific journals, many results are recent and appear here for the first time. Topological properties of the torsion are the main focus. This includes a detailed description of relations between the torsion and the Alexander-Fox invariants of the fundamental group. The torsion is shown to be related to the cohomology ring of the manifold and to the linking form. The reader will also find a definition of the torsion norm on the 2-homology of a 3-manifold, and a comparison with the classical Thurston norm. A surgery formula for the torsion is provided which allows to compute it explicitly from a surgery presentation of the manifold. As a special case, this gives a surgery formula for the Alexander polynomial of 3-manifolds. Treated in detail are a number of relevant notions including homology orientations, Euler structures, and Spinc structures on 3-manifolds. Relations between the torsion and the Seiberg-Witten invariants in dimension 3 are briefly discussed. Students and researchers with basic background in algebraic topology and low-dimensional topology will benefit from this monograph. Previous knowledge of the theory of torsions is not required. Numerous exercises and historical remarks as well as a collection of open problems complete the exposition.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-x
Generalities on Torsions....Pages 1-11
The Torsion versus the Alexander-Fox Invariants....Pages 13-30
The Torsion versus the Cohomology Rings....Pages 31-51
The Torsion Norm....Pages 53-64
Homology Orientations in Dimension Three....Pages 65-71
Euler Structures on 3-manifolds....Pages 73-80
A Gluing Formula with Applications....Pages 81-97
Surgery Formulas for Torsions....Pages 99-118
The Torsion Function....Pages 119-137
Torsion of Rational Homology Spheres....Pages 139-160
Spin c Structures....Pages 161-173
Miscellaneous....Pages 175-185
Back Matter....Pages 187-198
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