Lectures on the Topology of 3-Manifolds: An Introduction to the Casson Invariant [Pehme köide]

Saveliev, an assistant professor of mathematics at Tulane University, provides a bridge to recent progress in low-dimensional topology, focusing on Casson's results on the Rohlin invariant of homotopy 3-spheres. First covers classical topics, such as Heegaard splittings, Dehn surgery, and invariants of knots and links, then proceeds through the Kirby calculus and Rohlin's theorem to Casson's invariant and its applications, and gives a brief sketch of links with the latest developments in low-dimensional topology and gauge theory. Includes exercises and a list of open problems. Accessible to graduate students in mathematics and theoretical physics familiar with elementary algebraic topology. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)