Signature of links

Kauffman, Louis H.; Taylor, Laurence R.

doi:10.1090/S0002-9947-1976-0388373-0

Signature of links

Authors: Louis H. Kauffman and Laurence R. Taylor
Journal: Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 216 (1976), 351-365
MSC: Primary 55A25
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1090/S0002-9947-1976-0388373-0
MathSciNet review: 0388373
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Abstract: Let L be an oriented tame link in the three sphere ${S^3}$ . We study the Murasugi signature, $\sigma (L)$ , and the nullity, $\eta (L)$ . It is shown that $\sigma (L)$ is a locally flat topological concordance invariant and that $\eta (L)$ is a topological concordance invariant (no local flatness assumption here). Known results about the signature are re-proved (in some cases generalized) using branched coverings.

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