An intersection theory count of the \(\text{SL}_2({\mathbb C})\)-representations of the fundamental group of a \(3\)-manifold (Q5950613)

The author uses intersection theory techniques to define an invariant of closed 3-manifolds which counts the (signed) equivalence classes of representations of the fundamental group in \(SL_2(C)\). The invariant that she defines is analogous to that of Casson and Walker [\textit{S. Akbulut} and \textit{J. D. McCarthy}, Casson's invariant for oriented homology 3-spheres -- an exposition, Princeton Math. Notes 36 (1990; Zbl 0695.57011); \textit{K. Walker}, An extension of Casson's invariant, Ann. Math. Stud. 126 (1992; Zbl 0752.57011)] which counts \(SU(2)\)-representations, that of Cappell et al. [\textit{S. E. Cappell, R. Lee} and \textit{E. Y. Miller}, Bull. Am. Math. Soc., New Ser. 22, No. 2, 269-275 (1990; Zbl 0699.57009)], which count \(SU(n)\)-representations, and previously defined invariants of the author [\textit{C. L. Curtis}, Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 343, No. 1, 49-86 (1994; Zbl 0815.57007)] which count \(SO(3)\)-, \(U(2)\)-, \(Spin(4)\)- and \(SO(4)\)-representations. The author relates her new invariant to a generalization of the norm of Culler, Gordon, Luecke and Shalen. She shows that an analogue of the Casson-Walker knot invariant exists in her setting. She obtains a Dehn surgery formula for the invariant for manifolds which are the result of Dehn surgery on knots in integral homology spheres, where the surgery coefficients obey certain technical conditions. She discusses the positivity of her invariant for hyperbolic manifolds and she shows that for not sufficiently large manifolds all representations are in fact counted by the invariant. She discusses the relations of some of her results with Thurston's hyperbolization conjecture.