$n$-knots in $S^n\times S^2$ and contractible $(n+3)$-manifolds

Abstract

In $1961$, Mazur constructed a contractible, compact, smooth $4$-manifold with boundary which is not homeomorphic to the standard $4$-ball, using a $0$-handle, a $1$-handle and a $2$-handle. In this paper, for any integer $n\geq2,$ we construct a contractible, compact, smooth $(n+3)$-manifold with boundary which is not homeomorphic to the standard $(n+3)$-ball, using a $0$-handle, an $n$-handle and an $(n+1)$-handle. The key step is the construction of an interesting knotted $n$-sphere in $S^n\times S^2$ generalizing the Mazur pattern.