Twisted Alexander polynomials of twisted Whitehead links (Q2335706)

The twisted Alexander polynomial is a generalization of the classical Alexander polynomial by using linear representations and has become an effective tool in topology. Finding an explicit formula for the twisted Alexander polynomial of knots and links for all linear representations is a challenging problem. The twisted Alexander polynomial has been explicitly computed for a few classes of knots and links, including twist knots and genus one two bridge knots. In this paper, the authors state a formula for the two variable twisted Alexander polynomial of twisted Whitehead links for \(\mathrm{SL}_2(\mathbb{C})\)-representations. As applications, they prove that the hyperbolic torsion conjecture holds true for these links and give a formula for the Reidmeister torsion of the \(3\)-manifold obtained from \(S^3\) by \(\frac{p}{1}\)-surgery along one component of the twisted Whitehead link.