Braids on surfaces and finite type invariants. (Q1426568)

Let \(\Sigma\) be a compact orientable surface of genus \(g\), and let \(B(\Sigma,n)\) denote the \(n\)-string braid group of \(\Sigma\). A universal Vassiliev (finite-type) invariant for braids is a linear map \(Z:\mathbb{C}[B(\Sigma,n)]\to \mathcal{A}\) such that for any finite-type invariant \(v:\mathbb{C}[B(\Sigma,n)]\to A\) there is a homomorphism \(u:\mathcal{A} \to A\) such that \(u\circ Z=v\). \(Z\) is functorial, or multiplicative, if \(\mathcal{A}\) has an algebra structure and \(Z\) is an algebra homomorphism. González-Meneses and Paris have constructed a universal invariant for braids, but it is not functorial. In this paper, the authors prove that there does not exist a functorial universal finite-type invariant for braids in \(\Sigma \times I\) if \(g\geq 1\).