The quantum G2 link invariant
Abstract
We derive an inductive, combinatorial definition of a polynomial-valued regular isotopy invariant of links and tangled graphs. We show that the invariant equals the Reshetikhin-Turaev invariant corresponding to the exceptional simple Lie algebra G2. It is therefore related to G2 in the same way that the HOMFLY polynomial is related to An and the Kauffman polynomial is related to Bn, Cn, and Dn. We give parallel constructions for the other rank 2 Lie algebras and present some combinatorial conjectures motivated by the new inductive definitions.
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