Spin models for link polynomials, strongly regular graphs and Jaeger's Higman-Sims model (Q1318482)

We recall first some known facts on Jones and Kauffman polynomials for links, and on state models for link invariants. We give next an exposition of a recent spin model due to F. Jaeger which involves the Higman-Sims graph. The associated invariant assigns to an oriented link the evaluation for \(a=-\tau^ 5\) and \(z=1\) of its Kauffman polynomial in the Dubrovnik form, where \(\tau\) denotes the golden ratio.