Classification of isolated algebraic singularities by their Alexander polynomials (Q1067656)

It is shown that r-component algebraic links in \(S^ 3\) may be distinguished by their (r-variable) Alexander polynomials. By a theorem of Zariski the link type of an algebraic link is determined by the knot type of each component and the linking number of each pair of components. In this case the linking numbers are found by a calculation with Puiseux expansions and the knot polynomials are then uniquely determined by the Torres conditions (since all the linking numbers are nonzero), and so the result follows from that for the case \(r=1\) established by Burau in 1932. (Burau also treated the case \(r=2.)\) An example is given to show that in all higher (odd) dimensions there are pairs of distinct algebraic knots with the same Alexander polynomial.