The generalized Casson invariant for 2-fold branched covers of \(S^ 3\) and the Jones polynomial (Q2367237)

Let \(L\) be a link in the three-sphere. If its determinant is nonzero then its 2-fold branched cover is a rational homology sphere, and hence has a well-defined generalized Casson invariant [\textit{K. Walker}, An extension of Casson's invariant (1992; Zbl 0752.57011)]. The author proves that this generalized Casson invariant is determined by the Jones polynomial and signature of \(L\). The proof uses skein reduction, complicated by the necessity of avoiding the production of links with determinant zero.