Finite type 3-manifold invariants and the structure of the Torelli group. I (Q1384925)

The authors study the Torelli group of a surface (the group of mapping classes of the surface which act as the identity on \(H_1\) of the surface). They generalize results of \textit{S. Morita} in [Topology 28, No. 3, 305-323 (1989; Zbl 0684.57008)]; 30, No. 4, 603-621 (1991; Zbl 0747.57010)]. The results are too complicated to state here but suffice it to say they involve finite type invariants, the Casson invariant of a homology 3-sphere, trivalent graphs, and the lower central series of the Torelli group.