Knot theory of complex plane curves

Abstract

The primary objects of study in the ``knot theory of complex plane curves'' are C-links: links (or knots) cut out of a 3-sphere in the complex plane by complex plane transverse and totally tangential. Transverse C-links are naturally oriented. There are many natural classes of examples: links of singularities; links at infinity; links of divides, free divides, tree divides, and graph divides; and--most generally--quasipositive links. Totally tangential C-links are unoriented but naturally framed; they turn out to be precisely the real-analytic Legendrian links, and can profitably be investigated in terms of certain closely associated transverse C-links. The knot theory of complex plane curves is attractive not only for its own internal results, but also for its intriguing relationships and interesting contributions elsewhere in mathematics. Within low-dimensional topology, related subjects include braids, concordance, polynomial invariants, contact geometry, fibered links and open books, and Lefschetz pencils. Within low-dimensional algebraic and analytic geometry, related subjects include embeddings and injections of the complex line in the complex plane, line arrangements, Stein surfaces, and Hilbert's 16th problem.