Geometry and Topology SeminarFinite type invariants of knots and links and manifold calculus of functorsIsmar Volic, Wellesley
I will present a topological construction which provides a new point of
view on finite type knot and link invariants. Namely, a certain tower of
spaces arising from Goodwillie-Weiss manifold calculus of functors turns
out to be a classifying object for these invariants. After first
reviewing the most important definitions and results from finite type
theory, I will present the construction of the Goodwillie-Weiss tower for
the space of knots, and then describe how finite type invariants factor
through it. I will also mention some consequences of this result and at
the end briefly discuss the Bott-Taubes integrals of configuration spaces
which are central to the proof of the main theorem.
2:30pm–3:45pm, Wednesday, October 14, 2009 in LGRT 1535
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