Fixing the functoriality of Khovanov homology (Q1006161): Difference between revisions

Khovanov homology assigns graded modules to links and isomorphisms to isotopies (and more generally to link cobordisms). However in the original version the isomorphisms are only well-defined up to sign. The main result of this paper is a sign-determined modification of \textit{D. Bar-Natan}'s approach [Geom. Topol. 9, 1443--1499 (2005; Zbl 1084.57011)] which is functorial on the category of oriented tangles in \(B^3\) and oriented cobordisms in \(B^3\times{I}\), using the notion of ``disorientation''. A disoriented manifold is one which is partitioned into oriented submanifolds by hypersurfaces (``disorientation seams'') with preferred normal directions. The category of tangles and cobordisms is naturally modelled by a category PD (of ``planar diagrams'') in which the morphisms are generated by planar isotopy, Morse and Reidemeister moves, and satisfy relations deriving from the movie moves of Carter, Rieger and Saito [\textit{J. S. Carter} and \textit{M. Saito}, J. Knot Theory Ramifications 2, No.~3, 251--284 (1993; Zbl 0808.57020), \textit{J. S. Carter, J. H. Rieger} and \textit{M. Saito}, Adv. Math. 127, No. 1, 1--51 (1997; Zbl 0870.57032)] and \textit{D. Roseman} [Banach Cent. Publ. 42, 347--380 (1998; Zbl 0906.57010)]. The functor is defined in terms of planar algebras and is shown to be compatible with the movie relations, using a result on duality in Khovanov homology which extends earlier results about mirror images of knots to tangles. The paper is long, but well-written, with careful attention to the motivation at each step. The final third of the paper consists of a section ``Odds and ends'' and a substantial appendix containing the proofs of some of the lemmas and definitions of ``planar algebra'' and ``canopis''.