Free fermions and the Alexander-Conway polynomial (Q1181846)

We show how the Conway-Alexander polynomial arises from the \(q\) deformation of (\(\mathbb{Z}_ 2\) graded) \(\text{sl}(n,n)\) algebras. In the simplest \(\text{sl}(1,1)\) case we then establish connection between classical knot theory and its modern versions based on quantum groups. We first show how the crystal and the fundamental group of the complement of a knot give naturally rise to the Burau representation of the braid group. The Burau matrix is then transformed into the \(U_ q\text{sl}(1,1)R\) matrix by going to the exterior power algebra. Using a det=str identity, this allows us to recover the standard state model for the Alexander polynomial (derived earlier by one of us) as well. We also show how the \(U_ q\text{sl}(1,1)\) algebra describes free fermions ``propagating'' on the knot diagram. We rewrite the Conway-Alexander polynomial as a Berezin integral, and thus as an apparently new determinant.