The 3d-index of the 3d-skein module via the quantum trace map

Abstract

We define a map from the skein module of a cusped hyperbolic 3-manifold to the ring of Laurent series in one variable with integer coefficients that satisfies two properties: its evaluation at peripheral curves coincides with the Dimofte--Gaiotto--Gukov 3d-index, and it factors through the 3d-quantum trace map associated to a suitable ideal triangulation of the manifold. The map fulfills a supersymmetry prediction of mathematical physics and is part of a conjectural 3+1 dimensional topological quantum field theory.