Algebra Seminar: Queffelec -- Link invariants from a doubled Schur algebra

Hoel Queffelec (Universite de Montpellier) 

Friday 23 March, 2:30-3:30pm, Place: Carslaw 375 

Title: Link invariants from a doubled Schur algebra 

Abstract: The HOMFLY-PT polynomial is a two-variable knot invariant, that can be
specialized to both the Alexander and the Jones polynomials.  However, the quantum
groups based constructions yielding these latter invariants do not lift to the HOMFLY-PT
polynomial.  Using ideas from Howe duality, we introduce a doubled version of the
quantum Schur algebra, which allows us to define in a unified quantum setting the
HOMFLY-PT, Reshetikhin-Turaev, and Alexander polynomials.  

Joint work with Antonio Sartori.