A linking invariant for algebraic curves (Q2032788)

Summary: We construct a topological invariant of algebraic plane curves, which is in some sense an adaptation of the linking number of knot theory. This invariant is shown to be a generalization of the \(\mathcal{I}\)-invariant of line arrangements developed by the first author with \textit{E. A. Bartolo} and \textit{V. Florens} [Ann. Sc. Norm. Super. Pisa, Cl. Sci. (5) 17, No. 3, 949--968 (2017; Zbl 1390.32022)]. We give two practical tools for computing this invariant, using a modification of the usual braid monodromy or using the connected numbers introduced by Shirane \textit{T. Shirane} [Proc. Am. Math. Soc. 145, No. 3, 1009--1017 (2017; Zbl 1358.14018); Can. Math. Bull. 61, No. 3, 650--658 (2018; Zbl 1429.14019)]. As an application, we show that this invariant distinguishes several Zariski pairs, i.e., pairs of curves having same combinatorics, yet different topologies. The former is the well known Zariski pair found by \textit{E. Artal Bartolo} [J. Algebr. Geom. 3, No. 2, 223--247 (1994; Zbl 0823.14013)], composed of a smooth cubic with 3 tangent lines at its in flexion points. The latter is formed by a smooth quartic and 3 bitangents.