Transverse contact structures on Seifert 3-manifolds (Q1766295)

Let \(p: M\to \Sigma_g\) be a Seifert fibration and let \(\{ b,g; (\alpha_1, \beta_1), \dots, (\alpha_r, \beta_r)\}\) be its normalized Seifert invariants. The authors study when \(M\) carries a positive transverse (to the \(S^1\)-fibers) contact structure. If \(M\) admits a foliation transverse to the \(S^1\)-fibers (which is clearly taut), then \(M\) has such a contact structure [see \textit{Ya.~Eliashberg} and \textit{W.~Thurston}, Confoliations, University Lecture Series 13. Providence (AMS) (1998; Zbl 0893.53001)]. The necessary and sufficient condition for \(M\) to admit such a foliation was given by \textit{R.~Naimi} [Comment.~Math.~Helv.~69, No. 1, 155--162 (1994; Zbl 0797.55009)] using the results of Eisenbud, Hirsch, Jankins and Neumann [\textit{D.~Eisenbud, U.~Hirsch} and \textit{W.~D.~Neumann}, ibid. 56, 638--660 (1981; Zbl 0516.57015) and \textit{M.~Jankins} and \textit{W.~D.~Neumann}, Math.~Ann. 271, 381--400 (1985; Zbl 0543.57019)]. However \(M\) often has a transverse contact structure even when there are no transverse taut foliations. The authors give necessary and sufficient conditions for \(M\) to admit such a contact structure. (Similar results were obtained by K.~Honda using other techniques.) Namely put \(e(M)=-b-\sum_{i=1}^r\frac{\beta_i}{\alpha_i},\) \(e_0(M)=-b-r\) and \(\Gamma(M)=(\gamma_1, \dots , \gamma_r)\) with \(\gamma_i=1-\frac{\beta_i}{\alpha_i}\). \(\Gamma(M)\) is \textit{realizable} if there exist a permutation \(\sigma\in S_r\) and coprime integers \(m>a>0\) such that \(\gamma_{\sigma(1)}<\frac{a}{m}, \gamma_{\sigma(2)}<\frac{m-a}{m},\) and \( \gamma_{\sigma(3)}, \dots, \gamma_{\sigma(r)}<\frac{1}{m}.\) \textbf{Theorem:} \(M\) carries a positive contact structure transverse to the fibers of \(p\) if and only if one of the following holds: a. \(e_0(M)\leq -\chi(\Sigma_g)\); b. \(g=0, r\leq 2\) and \(e(M)<0\); c. \(g=0, e_0(M)=-1\) and \(\Gamma(M)\) is realizable. Moreover if \(\Sigma_g\) is orientable then the contact structure is universally tight. The authors also show that \(M\) carries an \(S^1\)-invariant transverse contact structure if and only if \(e(M)<0\).