Quantization of the Algebra of Chord Diagrams

Abstract

In this paper we define an algebra structure on the vector space $L(Σ)$ generated by links in the manifold $Σ\times [0,1]$ where $Σ$ is an oriented surface. This algebra has a filtration and the associated graded algebra $L_{Gr}(Σ)$ is naturally a Poisson algebra. There is a Poisson algebra homomorphism from the algebra of chord diagrams $ch(Σ)$ on $Σ$ to $L_{Gr}(Σ)$. We show that multiplication in $L(Σ)$ provides a geometric way to define a deformation quantization of the algebra of chord diagrams, provided there is a universal Vassiliev invariant for links in $Σ\times [0,1]$. The quantization descends to a quantization of the moduli space of flat connections on $Σ$ and it is universal with respect to group homomorphisms. If $Σ$ is compact with free fundamental group we construct a universal Vassiliev invariant.