Conjecture on linking forms and Jones–Rong polynomial values for knots with signature four

Let KK be a knot, let \sg(K)\sg(K) denote its signature, let H1H_1 denote the first homology group of the double branched cover of KK, and let QKQ_K be the associated polynomial value used in the paper. A finite abelian group is a double when it is isomorphic to a direct sum of two equal cyclic groups. Linking-form and polynomial-value conjecture. There are no knots with \sg(K)=4\sg(K)=4 and cyclic H1H_1 of order a prime square. If \sg(K)=4\sg(K)=4 and H1Z5Z5H_1\cong\mathbb Z_5\oplus\mathbb Z_5, then

QK(512)=5Q_K\left(\frac{\sqrt{5}-1}{2}\right)=-5

rather than +5+5. These assertions concern unexplained empirical phenomena connecting the signature, the homology and linking form of the double branched cover, and the polynomial value; the source presents them as problems supported by strong empirical evidence, with no resolution supplied here.

Sources & referencesView supporting material

Primary source

A. Stoimenow, “Polynomial values, the linking form and unknotting numbers”, arXiv:math/0405076 (2004).

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