Representation spaces of Seifert fibered homology spheres (Q5917484)

Let \(\Sigma\) be a Seifert fibered integral homology sphere, and let \(R(\Sigma)\) be the space of \(SU(2)\)-representations of the fundamental group of \(\Sigma\) modulo conjugacy. \(R(\Sigma)\) has been extensively studied, as it is essential to the definition of the Casson invariant and the Floer homology of \(\Sigma\). Notable results include \textit{R. Fintushel} and \textit{R. J. Stern} [Proc. London Math. Soc. 61, 109-137 (1990; Zbl 0705.57009)], where it is shown among other things that the connected components of \(R(\Sigma)\) are closed, smooth, oriented manifolds of even dimension, and \textit{P. A. Kirk} and \textit{E. P. Klassen} [Topology 30, 77-95 (1991; Zbl 0721.57007)], which includes a proof that for each connected component \(R\) of \(R(\Sigma)\) there is a Morse function \(\phi:R\rightarrow \mathbb R\) with only even index critical points. For each \(\Sigma\) there is an involution \(\tau\) induced by complex conjugation on \(\Sigma\), where \(\Sigma\) is viewed as the link of a complete intersection singularity. This paper investigates the induced map \(\tau^*:R(\Sigma)\rightarrow R(\Sigma)\). The map \(\tau^*\) preserves connected components of \(R(\Sigma)\). For each connected component \(R\), let \(R^{\tau}\) denote the fixed point set of \(\tau^*\) restricted to \(R\). It is shown that \(R^{\tau}\) is a closed, smooth, not necessarily oriented manifold of dimension \(1/2\) the dimension of \(R\). Moreover there exists a Morse function \(\phi:R\rightarrow \mathbb R\) which is invariant with respect to \(\tau\). The critical points of this Morse function are contained in \(R^{\tau}\) and have even Morse index. Moreover, if \(\phi^{\tau}\) is the restriction of the Morse function \(\phi\) to \(R^{\tau}\), then \(\phi^{\tau}\) is a Morse function with the same critical points as \(\phi\), and the Morse index of each critical point of \(\phi^{\tau}\) is the Morse index of the (same) critical point of \(\phi\). Finally, a closed form formula for the Floer homology of a Seifert fibered integral homology sphere is proved, as is additivity under splicing, reproducing previous results of the author.