Link invariants via eta invariant (Q1327474)

A link is an imbedding \(F: \bigcup_1^m S^n\to S^{n+2}\) of a disjoint union of copies of \(S^n\) in \(S^{n+2}\). Such an imbedding extends to an imbedding \(F': \bigcup_1^m S^n\times D^2\to S^{n+2}\), and one forms \(M(F)\) by removing the copies of \(S^n\times D^2\) and inserting copies of \(D^{n+1} \times S^1\). Under varying hypotheses, the author shows that \(M(F)\) can be equipped with a homomorphism \(\alpha: \pi_1 (M(F))\to G\) for an appropriate \(G\). Being given a unitary representation, \(\Theta: G\to U_k\), the Atiyah- Patodi-Singer eta invariant of \((M(F), \Theta\circ \alpha)\) is a real number (\(n\) being odd). The author interprets the homomorphism assigning to \(F\) the homomorphism from \(R_k (G)\), the \(k\)-dimensional representation of \(G\), to \(R\) which sends \(\Theta\) to \(\eta (M (F), \Theta\circ \alpha)\) as defining invariants of the link \(F\). These invariants are the object of study in this paper. Interesting examples are given for which these invariants distinguish non-concordant links.