An \(\mathfrak{sl}_n\) stable homotopy type for matched diagrams (Q2326676)

Khovanov homology \(\mathrm{Kh}^{*,*}(K)\) is a bi-graded vector space associated to the knot \(K\). In~the paper [J. Am. Math. Soc. 27, No. 4, 983--1042 (2014; Zbl 1345.57014)], \textit{R. Lipshitz} and \textit{S. Sarkar} defined a {stable Khovanov homotopy type} associated to a knot \(K\); that is to say, a family \(\{\mathcal{X}^{j}(D_K) \}_{j\in \mathbb{Z}}\) of topological spaces -- defined combinatorially starting from a diagram \(D_K\) of \(K\) -- such that: (i) for each \(j\) the space \(\mathcal{X}^{j}(K)\) does not depend up to homotopy on the choice of \(D_K\), and (ii) the reduced singular cohomology of \(\mathcal{X}^{j}(K)\) is isomorphic to \(\mathrm{Kh}^{*,j}(K)\). One important feature of this construction is that it allows one to import part of the algebraic structure of singular cohomology in Khovanov homology. More precisely, all stable cohomology operations, such as Steenrod squares, give rise to knot invariants. Indeed, in [loc. cit.] it has been shown that these Steenrod squares are computable and can be used to prove that the homotopy type of \(\{\mathcal{X}^{j}(D_K) \}_{j\in \mathbb{Z}}\) is a stronger invariant than \(\mathrm{Kh}^{*,*}(K)\). Lipshitz and Sarkar's construction is based on flow categories and based on the template given by \textit{R. L. Cohen} et al. [Prog. Math. 133, 297--325 (1995; Zbl 0843.58019)]. Khovanov homology fits into a family of theories called Khovanov-Rozansky \(\mathfrak{sl}_n\)-homologies (Khovanov homology being the case \(n=2\)). The aim of the paper under review is to extend the definition of stable Khovanov homotopy type to Khovanov-Rozansky \(\mathfrak{sl}_n\)-homologies. This is achieved only for a certain class of knots, called bipartite, which admit special (matched) diagrams. Bipartite knots include rational knots and an infinite family of Montesinos links. However, not all links are bipartite. For bipartite diagrams the description of the Khovanov-Rozansky \(\mathfrak{sl}_n\) chain complex can be simplified, and made similar to the description of the Khovanov complex. Making use of this similarity, the authors define a framed flow category, and thus a stable homotopy type, associated to each pair consisting of a matched diagram and of an integer \(n\geq 2\). In the case \(n = 2\), their construction agrees with Lipshitz-Sarkar's construction. For all \(n\geq3\), the cohomology of the stable homotopy type agrees with the Khovanov-Rozansky \(\mathfrak{sl}_n\) homology of the underlying knot. Moreover, the authors prove that their stable homotopy type is preserved under some Reidemeister-like moves which send matched diagrams to matched diagrams. The last section of the paper under review is dedicated to examples and calculations.