Higher order Massey products and links

O’Neill, Edward J.

doi:10.1090/S0002-9947-1979-0521692-6

Higher order Massey products and links
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by Edward J. O’Neill

Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 248 (1979), 37-66

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1090/S0002-9947-1979-0521692-6

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Abstract:

In this paper we generalize Steenrod’s functional cup products, calling the generalizations functional triple products, and relate them with Massey 4-products. We then study certain links using this machinery and a new relation that is satisfied by 4-products under conditions on X which permit applications to links. Finally, many examples illustrating the connection between Massey higher products, both ordinary and matrix, and links are presented. This material constituted a portion of the author’s doctoral dissertation. The author would like to thank his thesis advisor Professor W. S. Massey for his encouragement and guidance.

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Massey products in the complement of a link

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