2023/10/25 by David Cimasoni, Cimasoni, David, Livio Ferretti +1
Computer Science · Mathematics · #57K10 #Advanced Combinatorial Mathematics #FOS: Mathematics #Geometric Topology (math.GT) #Geometric and Algebraic Topology #Topological and Geometric Data Analysis
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2310.16729
openalex publication_date 2023/10/25 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
In 2018, Kashaev introduced a square matrix indexed by the regions of a link diagram, and conjectured that it provides a novel way of computing the Levine-Tristram signature and Alexander polynomial of the corresponding oriented link. In this article, we show that for the classical signature (i.e. the Levine-Tristram signature at -1), this conjecture follows from the seminal work of Gordon-Litherland. We also relate Kashaev's matrix to Kauffman's "Formal Knot Theory" model of the Alexander polynomial. As a consequence, we establish the Alexander polynomial and classical signature parts of the conjecture for arbitrary links, as well as the full conjecture for definite knots.