arXiv subjects

Alexander N. Shumakovitch

Publications and source records attributed to Alexander N. Shumakovitch.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2018

Patterns in odd Khovanov homology

We investigate properties of the odd Khovanov homology, compare and contrast them with those of the original (even) Khovanov homology, and discuss applications of the odd Khovanov homology to other areas of knot theory and low-dimensional topology. We show that it provides an effective upper bound on the Thurston-Bennequin number of Legendrian links and can be used to detect quasi-alternating knots. A potential application to detecting transversely non-simple knots is also mentioned.

math.GT↗

arXiv2018

Torsion of the Khovanov homology

Khovanov homology is a recently introduced invariant of oriented links in $\mathbb{R}^3$. It categorifies the Jones polynomial in the sense that the (graded) Euler characteristic of the Khovanov homology is a version of the Jones polynomial for links. In this paper we study torsion of the Khovanov homology. Based on our calculations, we formulate several conjectures about the torsion and prove weaker versions of the first two of them. In particular, we prove that all non-split alternating links have their integer Khovanov homology almost determined by the Jones polynomial and signature. The only remaining indeterminacy is that one cannot distinguish between $\mathbb{Z}_{2^k}$ factors in the canonical decomposition of the Khovanov homology groups for different values of $k$.

math.GT↗

arXiv2018

Rasmussen invariant, Slice-Bennequin inequality, and sliceness of knots

We use recently introduced Rasmussen invariant to find knots that are topologically locally-flatly slice but not smoothly slice. We note that this invariant can be used to give a combinatorial proof of the slice-Bennequin inequality. Finally, we compute the Rasmussen invariant for quasipositive knots and show that most of our examples of non-slice knots are not quasipositive and, to the best of our knowledge, were previously unknown.

math.GT↗

arXiv2018

Torsion in Khovanov homology of homologically thin knots

We prove that every $\mathbb{Z}_2$H-thin link has no $2^k$-torsion for $k>1$ in its Khovanov homology. Together with previous results by Eun Soo Lee and the author, this implies that integer Khovanov homology of non-split alternating links is completely determined by the Jones polynomial and signature. Our proof is based on establishing an algebraic relation between Bockstein and Turner differentials on Khovanov homology over $\mathbb{Z}_2$. We conjecture that a similar relation exists between the corresponding spectral sequences.

math.GT↗

arXiv2016

Knot invariants arising from homological operations on Khovanov homology

We construct an algebra of non-trivial homological operations on Khovanov homology with coefficients in $\mathbb Z_2$ generated by two Bockstein operations. We use the unified Khovanov homology theory developed by the first author to lift this algebra to integral Khovanov homology. We conjecture that these two algebras are infinite and present evidence in support of our conjectures. Finally, we list examples of knots that have the same even and odd Khovanov homology, but different actions of these homological operations. This confirms that the unified theory is a finer knot invariant than the even and odd Khovanov homology combined. The case of reduced Khovanov homology is also considered.

math.AT↗