Generalized Montesinos knots, tunnels and \({\mathcal N}\)-torsion (Q1318054)

We use the torsion invariant \({\mathcal N} (G)\), introduced in [the authors, Generating systems for groups and Reidemeister-Whitehead torsion, J. Algebra 157, 170-198 (1993)], to compute the rank of the fundamental group, the tunnel number and the bridge number for a large class of knots/links. For corresponding closed 3-manifolds we determine the rank of the fundamental group and the Heegaard genus. Furthermore \({\mathcal N} (G)\) gives non-isotopic tunnel systems and non-isotopic Heegaard splittings of arbitrary large genus. We derive an invariant \(\overline {\mathcal N} (\Sigma)\) which distinguishes these in fact up to homeomorphisms. Hence \({\mathcal N}\)-torsion is shown to be a practical tool for providing Johannson's combinatorial/geometric Heegaard theory with a large variety of non-trivial examples. In particular we give evidence for \textit{K. Johannson}'s claim, that ``... uniqueness of Heegaard surfaces fails drastically and is a rather special phenomenon for 3-manifolds'' [Bull. Am. Math. Soc., New Ser. 23, No. 1, 91-98 (1990; Zbl 0715.57006)].