Polynomial Link Invariants via Decategorification of Subquandle Quiver Filtrations

Abstract

In this paper, we introduce the notion of subquandle filtrations for finite quandles as a foundation to construct algebraic and combinatorial link invariants. A nested sequence of subquandles naturally induces a filtration of the associated quandle coloring quiver by subquivers. By decategorifying these subquivers, we define two new polynomial-valued invariants of links: the disrespectful polynomial and the graded disrespectful polynomial, which measure how a chosen set of quandle endomorphisms respects and disrespects subquandle structure. Finally, we illustrate the distinguishing power of these new tools by comparing them to both classical quandle counting invariants and the quiver in-degree polynomial.