English

Khovanov homology and tight contact structures

Geometric Topology 2008-08-19 v2 Symplectic Geometry

Abstract

Using the relation between Khovanov homology and the Heegaard Floer homology of branched double covers, we show how Khovanov homology can be used to establish tightness of branched double covers of certain transverse knots. We give examples of several infinite families of knots whose branched covers are tight for Khovanov-homological reasons, and show that some of these branched covers are not Stein fillable.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.0802.3835,
  title  = {Khovanov homology and tight contact structures},
  author = {Olga Plamenevskaya},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0802.3835},
  year   = {2008}
}

Comments

All the results of this paper are now subsumed by arXiv:0808.2336, joint with John A. Baldwin

R2 v1 2026-06-21T10:16:03.773Z