Topological invariants in braid theory (Q5944749)

The author describes some invariants of knots and links making use of integrals over braid paths, instead of the usual techniques from algebraic topology. The simplest such invariant is the winding number, i.e. the net number of times two strings in a braid wrap each other. Then higher-order invariants are introduced using only differential geometry. In particular, the author considers the Kontsevich integral [\textit{M. Kontsevich}, Adv. Sov. Math. 16(2), 137-150 (1993; Zbl 0839.57006)] which gives a formal sum of all finite order topological invariants, and he proves that it is invariant to deformations of the braid. Finally, he shows that some of the higher-order invariants can be used to generate Hamiltonian dynamics of \(n\) particles in the plane.