Matrix-tree theorems and the Alexander-Conway polynomial
Abstract
This talk is a report on joint work with A. Vaintrob [arXiv:math.CO/0109104 and math.GT/0111102]. It is organised as follows. We begin by recalling how the classical Matrix-Tree Theorem relates two different expressions for the lowest degree coefficient of the Alexander-Conway polynomial of a link. We then state our formula for the lowest degree coefficient of an algebraically split link in terms of Milnor's triple linking numbers. We explain how this formula can be deduced from a determinantal expression due to Traldi and Levine by means of our Pfaffian Matrix-Tree Theorem [arXiv:math.CO/0109104]. We also discuss the approach via finite type invariants, which allowed us in [arXiv:math.GT/0111102] to obtain the same result directly from some properties of the Alexander-Conway weight system. This approach also gives similar results if all Milnor numbers up to a given order vanish.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.math/0211063,
title = {Matrix-tree theorems and the Alexander-Conway polynomial},
author = {Gregor Masbaum},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:math/0211063},
year = {2007}
}
Comments
Published by Geometry and Topology Monographs at http://www.maths.warwick.ac.uk/gt/GTMon4/paper13.abs.html