English

On the quantum $\mathfrak{sl}_3$ invariant of positive links

Geometric Topology 2026-03-27 v2 Quantum Algebra

Abstract

We use the skein theory of sl3\mathfrak{sl}_3-webs to study the properties of the quantum sl3\mathfrak{sl}_3-link polynomial of positive links. We give explicit formulae for the three leading terms of the polynomial on positive links in terms of diagrammatic quantities of their positive diagrams. We show that a positive link is fibered if and only the second coefficient of the polynomial is equal to one. We also show that the third coefficient provides obstructions to representing links by positive braids.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2508.15153,
  title  = {On the quantum $\mathfrak{sl}_3$ invariant of positive links},
  author = {Matthew Harper and Efstratia Kalfagianni},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2508.15153},
  year   = {2026}
}

Comments

27 pages. To appear in Algebraic & Geometric Topology