The colored Jones polynomials as vortex partition functions

We construct 3D $$ \mathcal{N} $$ N = 2 abelian gauge theories on $$ \mathbbm{S} $$ S 2 × $$ \mathbbm{S} $$ S 1 labeled by knot diagrams whose K-theoretic vortex partition functions, each of which is a building block of twisted indices, give the colored Jones polynomials of knots in $$ \mathbbm{S} $$ S 3. The colored Jones polynomials are obtained as the Wilson loop expectation values along knots in SU(2) Chern-Simons gauge theories on $$ \mathbbm{S} $$ S 3, and then our construction provides an explicit correspondence between 3D $$ \mathcal{N} $$ N = 2 abelian gauge theories and 3D SU(2) Chern-Simons gauge theories. We verify, in particular, the applicability of our constructions to a class of tangle diagrams of 2-bridge knots with certain specific twists.

Recurrence Relations and Asymptotics of Colored Jones Polynomials

We consider $$q$$-difference equations for colored Jones polynomials. These sequences of polynomials are invariants for the knots and their asymptotics plays an important role in the famous volume conjecture for the complement of the knot to the $$3$$d sphere. We give an introduction to the theory of hyperbolic volume of the knots complements and study the asymptotics of the solutions of $$q$$-recurrence relations of high order.

The colored Jones polynomial and Kontsevich–Zagier series for double twist knots

Using a result of Takata, we prove a formula for the colored Jones polynomial of the double twist knots [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are positive integers. In the [Formula: see text] case, this leads to new families of [Formula: see text]-hypergeometric series generalizing the Kontsevich–Zagier series. Comparing with the cyclotomic expansion of the colored Jones polynomials of [Formula: see text] gives a generalization of a duality at roots of unity between the Kontsevich–Zagier function and the generating function for strongly unimodal sequences.

Span of the Jones polynomials of certain v-adequate virtual links

It is known that the Kauffman–Murasugi–Thislethwaite type inequality becomes an equality for any (possibly virtual) adequate link diagram. We refine this condition. As an application we obtain a criterion for virtual link diagram with exactly one virtual crossing to represent a properly virtual link.

Introduction to Chern-Simons Theory

The 2 + 1 Yang-Mills theory allows for an interaction term called the Chern-Simons term. This topological term plays a useful role in understanding the field theoretic description of the excitation of the quantum hall system such as Anyons. While solving the non-Abelian Chern-simons theory is rather complicated, its knotty world allows for a framework for solving it. In the framework, the idea was to relate physical observables with the Jones polynomials. In this note, I will summarize the basic idea leading up to this framework.

Crossing change on Khovanov homology and a categorified Vassiliev skein relation

Khovanov homology is a categorification of the Jones polynomial, so it may be seen as a kind of quantum invariant of knots and links. Although polynomial quantum invariants are deeply involved with Vassiliev (aka. finite type) invariants, the relation remains unclear in case of Khovanov homology. Aiming at it, in this paper, we discuss a categorified version of Vassiliev skein relation on Khovanov homology. More precisely, we will show that the “genus-one” operation gives rise to a crossing change on Khovanov complexes. Invariance under Reidemeister moves turns out, and it enables us to extend Khovanov homology to singular links. We then see that a long exact sequence of Khovanov homology groups categorifies Vassiliev skein relation for the Jones polynomials. In particular, the Jones polynomial is recovered even for singular links. We in addition discuss the FI relation on Khovanov homology.

6. Unknot or knot to be?

‘Unknot or knot to be?’ explains that a knot is a smooth, simple, closed curve in 3D space. Being simple and closed means the curve does not cross itself except that its end returns to its start. All knots are topologically the same as a circle; what makes a circle knotted—or not—is how that circle has been placed into 3D space. The central problem of knot theory is a classification theorem: when is there an ambient isotopy between two knots or how do we show that no such isotopy exists? Key elements of knot theory are discussed, including the three Reidemeister moves, prime knots, adding knots, and the Alexander and Jones polynomials.

Oriented local moves and divisibility of the Jones–Kauffman polynomial

For any virtual link [Formula: see text] that may be decomposed into a pair of oriented [Formula: see text]-tangles [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], an oriented local move of type [Formula: see text] is a replacement of [Formula: see text] with the [Formula: see text]-tangle [Formula: see text] in a way that preserves the orientation of [Formula: see text]. After developing a general decomposition for the Jones polynomial of the virtual link [Formula: see text] in terms of various (modified) closures of [Formula: see text], we analyze the Jones polynomials of virtual links [Formula: see text] that differ via a local move of type [Formula: see text]. Succinct divisibility conditions on [Formula: see text] are derived for broad classes of local moves that include the [Formula: see text]-move and the double-[Formula: see text]-move as special cases. As a consequence of our divisibility result for the double-[Formula: see text]-move, we introduce a necessary condition for any pair of classical knots to be [Formula: see text]-equivalent.