A perturbative \(SU(3)\) Casson invariant (Q1849705)

The Casson invariant of an integral homology 3-sphere \(X\) counts the (signed) flat \(SU(2)\)-connections on \(X\), or equivalently the (signed) irreducible \(SU(2)\)-representations of the fundamental group of \(X\). An approach for generalizing Casson's work to \(SU(n)\) using the representation-theory perspective was suggested by the authors in [Bull. Am. Math. Soc., New Ser. 22, No. 2, 269-275 (1990; Zbl 0699.57009)]. In [J. Differ. Geom. 50, No. 1, 147-206 (1998; Zbl 0934.57013)] \textit{H. U. Boden} and \textit{C. M. Herald} successfully defined a generalization of Casson's invariant to \(SU(3)\) using the gauge-theoretic perspective. In the paper being reviewed here, the authors provide an alternative generalization to \(SU(3)\). A third generalization has been defined by \textit{H. U. Boden, C. M. Herald}, and \textit{P. Kirk} in [Math. Res. Lett. 8, No. 5-6, 589-603 (2001; Zbl 0991.57014)]. All three invariants provide a count of the irreducible \(SU(3)\)-connections after a suitable perturbation. However, since the stratum of reducible connections is not compact, a correction term at each reducible connection is necessary in order to ensure that the count is independent of the perturbation used. The three invariants differ in their correction terms at reducible connections. The version proposed in the current paper has the advantage of being well-defined under arbitrary perturbations, whereas the other two versions are invariant only under a restricted class of perturbations. Like the other versions of the invariant, the authors show that their invariant is independent of orientation, and they prove a connected sum formula. The authors provide calculations of the invariant for some manifolds which are the result of Dehn surgeries on certain torus knots.