English

A local $\mathfrak{gl}_{1|1}$-action on odd Khovanov homology

Geometric Topology 2025-11-04 v1 Representation Theory

Abstract

We show that odd Khovanov homology carries an action of the super Lie algebra gl11\mathfrak{gl}_{1|1}, given extra choice of markings on the link. Moreover, we show that this action arises from an action on super gl2\mathfrak{gl}_{2}-foams, in the extended-TQFT framework developed by the second author and Vaz; in particular, it extends to tangles. Finally, we relate the action to torsion Z/nZ\mathbb{Z}/n\mathbb{Z} in pretzel links P(n,n,n)P(n,n,-n). In particular, this shows that all torsion can appear in odd Khovanov homology.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2511.00947,
  title  = {A local $\mathfrak{gl}_{1|1}$-action on odd Khovanov homology},
  author = {Mark Ebert and Léo Schelstraete},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2511.00947},
  year   = {2025}
}

Comments

48 pages. Comments welcome