Branched cover homology and \(Q\) evaluations (Q1598257)

The paper deals with the Laurent polynomial invariant \(Q_L \in \mathbb Z[z,z^{-1}]\) of an unoriented link \(L\), introduced by \textit{R. D.~Brandt}, \textit{W. B. R.~Lickorish}, \textit{K. C.~Millett} [Invent. Math.~84, 563-573 (1986; Zbl 0595.57009)] and \textit{C. F. Ho}. In particular, complex evaluations \(Q_L(z)\) at \(z \neq 0\) are considered in relation with \(k\)-moves and with the homology of the double covering \(D_L\) of \(L\). These are the results: (1)~\(Q_L(z)\), or even just its norm \(|Q_L(z)|\), is invariant under \(k\)-moves iff \(z = 2 \cos 2\pi n/k\) for some \(n\) [\textit{J. H. Przytycki}, Contemp. Math. 78, 615-656 (1988; Zbl 0665.57007)]; (2) \(Q(z)\) is determined by \(\dim H_1(D_L;\mathbb Z_p)\), with \(p\) prime, only for \(z = -2,1\), or \(z=-1\) and \(p=3\); (3)~\(|Q(z)|\) is determined by \(\dim H_1(D_L;\mathbb Z_p)\) only for \(z = -2,1\), or \(z=-1\) and \(p=3\), or \(z = (-1 \pm\sqrt 5)/2\) and \(p=5\).