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Three-dimensional topology includes two vast domains: the study of geometric structures on 3-manifolds and the study of topological invariants of 3-manifolds, knots, etc. This book belongs to the second domain. We shall study an invariant called the maximal abelian torsion and denoted T. It is defined for a compact smooth (or piecewise-linear) manifold of any dimension and, more generally, for an arbitrary finite CW-complex X. The torsion T(X) is an element of a certain extension of the group ring Z[Hl(X)]. The torsion T can be naturally considered in the framework of simple homotopy theory. In particular, it is invariant under simple homotopy equivalences and can distinguish homotopy equivalent but non homeomorphic CW-spaces and manifolds, for instance, lens spaces. The torsion T can be used also to distinguish orientations and so-called Euler structures. Our interest in the torsion T is due to a particular role which it plays in three-dimensional topology. First of all, it is intimately related to a number of fundamental topological invariants of 3-manifolds. The torsion T(M) of a closed oriented 3-manifold M dominates (determines) the first elementary ideal of 7fl (M) and the Alexander polynomial of 7fl (M). The torsion T(M) is closely related to the cohomology rings of M with coefficients in Z and ZjrZ (r ;::: 2). It is also related to the linking form on Tors Hi (M), to the Massey products in the cohomology of M, and to the Thurston norm on H2(M).
About the author
Dr. Christian Kassel is the director of CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique in France), was the director of l'Institut de Recherche Mathematique Avancee from 2000 to 2004, and is an editor for the Journal of Pure and Applied Algebra. Kassel has numerous publications, including the book Quantum Groups in the Springer Gradate Texts in Mathematics series.
Dr. Vladimir Turaev was also a professor at the CNRS and is currently at Indiana University in the Department of Mathematics.
Summary
Three-dimensional topology includes two vast domains: the study of geometric structures on 3-manifolds and the study of topological invariants of 3-manifolds, knots, etc. This book belongs to the second domain. We shall study an invariant called the maximal abelian torsion and denoted T. It is defined for a compact smooth (or piecewise-linear) manifold of any dimension and, more generally, for an arbitrary finite CW-complex X. The torsion T(X) is an element of a certain extension of the group ring Z[Hl(X)]. The torsion T can be naturally considered in the framework of simple homotopy theory. In particular, it is invariant under simple homotopy equivalences and can distinguish homotopy equivalent but non homeomorphic CW-spaces and manifolds, for instance, lens spaces. The torsion T can be used also to distinguish orientations and so-called Euler structures. Our interest in the torsion T is due to a particular role which it plays in three-dimensional topology. First of all, it is intimately related to a number of fundamental topological invariants of 3-manifolds. The torsion T(M) of a closed oriented 3-manifold M dominates (determines) the first elementary ideal of 7fl (M) and the Alexander polynomial of 7fl (M). The torsion T(M) is closely related to the cohomology rings of M with coefficients in Z and ZjrZ (r ;::: 2). It is also related to the linking form on Tors Hi (M), to the Massey products in the cohomology of M, and to the Thurston norm on H2(M).
Additional text
"This is an excellent exposition about abelian Reidemeister torsions for three-manifolds."
—Zentralblatt Math
"The present monograph covers in great detail the work of the author spanning almost three decades. …[Establishing an explicit formula given a 3-manifold] is a truly remarkable feat… This monograph contains a wealth of information many topologists will find very handy. …Many of the new points of view pioneered by Turaev are gradually becoming mainstream and are spreading beyond the pure topology world. This monograph is a timely and very useful addition to the scientific literature."
--Mathematical Reviews
Report
"This is an excellent exposition about abelian Reidemeister torsions for three-manifolds."
-Zentralblatt Math
"The present monograph covers in great detail the work of the author spanning almost three decades. ...[Establishing an explicit formula given a 3-manifold] is a truly remarkable feat... This monograph contains a wealth of information many topologists will find very handy. ...Many of the new points of view pioneered by Turaev are gradually becoming mainstream and are spreading beyond the pure topology world. This monograph is a timely and very useful addition to the scientific literature."
--Mathematical Reviews
