The \(\mathrm{SU}(2)\) Casson-Lin invariant of the Hopf link (Q346684)

The Casson-Lin invariant for knots in \(S^3\) is an algebraic count of the conjugacy classes of \(\mathrm{SU}(2)\)-representations of the fundamental group of the knot complement with traceless meridional image. \textit{E. Harper} and \textit{N. Saveliev} generalized this definition to give an invariant of 2-component links in \(S^3\) in [J. Knot Theory Ramifications 21, No. 5, 1250054, 8 p. (2012; Zbl 1237.57034)]. In his paper defining the invariant [J. Differ. Geom. 35, No. 2, 337--357 (1992; Zbl 0774.57007)], \textit{X.-S. Lin} showed that his invariant is equal to half the signature of the knot. Harper and Saveliev similarly showed that their invariant is equal to the linking number of the two components of the link, up to sign. In the paper reviewed here, the authors determine this sign, showing that if \(L = \ell_1 \cup \ell_2\) is an oriented link, then the Casson-Lin invariant of the link is equal to \(-lk(\ell_1,\ell_2)\).