Alexander polynomial obstruction of bi-orderability for rationally homologically fibered knot groups (Q526169)

A total ordering \(\leq_G\) on a group \(G\) is a \textit{bi-ordering} if \(a\leq_G b\) implies both \(ga\leq_G gb\) and \(ag\leq_G bg\) for all \(a,b,g \in G\). A group is called bi-orderable if it admits a bi-ordering. In [\textit{A. Clay} and \textit{D. Rolfsen}, Math. Proc. Camb. Philos. Soc. 152, No. 1, 115--129 (2012; Zbl 1241.57014)] it was shown that if the knot group \(\pi_1 (S^3 \setminus K)\) for a fibered knot \(K\) is bi-orderable, then its Alexander polynomial \(\Delta_K(t)\) has at least one positive real root. A null-homologous knot \(K\) in a rational homology 3-sphere \(M\) is \textit{rationally homologically fibered} if \(\deg \Delta_K(t) = 2g(K)\), where \(g(K)\) denotes the genus of the knot \(K\). Although not all knots are rationally homologically fibered, compared with fibered knots the class of rationally homologically fibered knots is much larger. For example, the alternating knots (in \(S^3\)) are rationally homologically fibered. Here the author shows that if the fundamental group of the complement of a rationally homologically fibered knot in a rational homology 3-sphere is bi-orderable, then its Alexander polynomial has at least one positive real root.