Finite type invariants of 3-manifolds

Abstract

A theory of finite type invariants for arbitrary compact oriented 3-manifolds is proposed, and illustrated through many examples arising from both classical and quantum topology. The theory is seen to be highly non-trivial even for manifolds with large first betti number, encompassing much of the complexity of Ohtsuki's theory for homology spheres. (For example, it is seen that the quantum SO(3) invariants, though not of finite type, are determined by finite type invariants.) The algebraic structure of the set of all finite type invariants is investigated, along with a combinatorial model for the theory in terms of trivalent "Feynman diagrams".