On the generalized Casson invariant (Q1573882)

In 1985 \textit{A. Casson} introduced an integer-valued invariant \(\lambda\) for oriented integral homology 3-spheres, i.e., 3-manifolds with homology of a 3-sphere. Subsequently, \textit{K. Walker} [Bull. Am. Math. Soc., New Ser. 22, No. 2, 261-267 (1990; Zbl 0699.57008)] generalized Casson's invariant to rational homology 3-spheres. For a readable account see [\textit{K. Walker}, An extension of Casson's invariant, Ann. Math. Stud. 126 (1992; Zbl 0752.57011)]. Finally, \textit{N. Seiberg} and \textit{E. Witten} [Monopoles, duality and chiral symmetry breaking in \(N=2\) supersymmetric QCD, Nucl. Phys. B 431, No. 3, 484-550 (1994)] as well as \textit{L. Rozansky} and \textit{E. Witten} [Sel. Math., New Ser. 3, No. 3, 401-458 (1997; Zbl 0908.53027)] found a reformulation of the invariant in terms of path integrals using a dimensional reduction technique (going from four-dimensional Yang-Mills to three dimensions). The author explicitly evaluates the path integral for various 3-manifolds and introduces a class of topological observables from which new invariants may be derived. At the end he discusses the refinement of the Rozansky-Witten theory due to \textit{M. Kontsevich} [Compos. Math. 115, No. 1, 115-127 (1999; Zbl 0924.57017)] and \textit{M. Kapranov} [Rozansky-Witten invariants via Atiyah classes, ibid., 71-113 (1999)]. For a recent proof that Casson's invariant and the one derived from the Seiberg-Witten equations indeed coincide see \textit{Y. Lim} [Math. Res. Lett. 6, No. 5-6, 631-643 (1999; Zbl 0948.57007)].