Invariants of Homology 3-Spheres

Download or read book Invariants of Homology 3-Spheres written by Nikolai Saveliev and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2002-09-05 with total page 254 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The book gives a systematic exposition of the diverse ideas and methods in the area, from algebraic topology of manifolds to invariants arising from quantum field theories. The main topics covered include: constructions and classification of homology 3-spheres, Rokhlin invariant, Casson invariant and its extensions, and Floer homology and gauge-theoretical invariants of homology cobordism. Many of the topics covered in the book appear in monograph form for the first time. The book gives a rather broad overview of ideas and methods and provides a comprehensive bibliography. The text will be a valuable source for both the graduate student and researcher in mathematics and theoretical physics.