English

The SU(3) Casson Invariant for Integral Homology 3-Spheres

Differential Geometry 2021-09-29 v1 Geometric Topology

Abstract

We derive a gauge theoretic invariant of integral homology 3-spheres which counts gauge orbits of irreducible, perturbed flat SU(3) connections with sign given by spectral flow. To compensate for the dependence of this sum on perturbations, the invariant includes contributions from the reducible, perturbed flat orbits. Our formula for the correction term generalizes that given by Walker in his extension of Casson's SU(2) invariant to rational homology 3-spheres.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.math/9809124,
  title  = {The SU(3) Casson Invariant for Integral Homology 3-Spheres},
  author = {Hans U. Boden and Christopher M. Herald},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:math/9809124},
  year   = {2021}
}

Comments

63 pages, 2 figures, to appear in J. Diff. Geom