Reidemeister-Turaev torsion of 3-dimensional Euler structures with simple boundary tangency and pseudo-Legendrian knots (Q5952934)

The authors generalize Turaev's definition of torsion invariants of a \(3\)-manifold \(M\) with a fixed Euler structure, i.e. a nonsingular vector field up to homotopy relative to \(\partial M\) and modifications supported in a ball contained in the interior of \(M\). \textit{V. G. Turaev} [Math. USSR, Izv. 34, No. 3, 627-662 (1990); translation from Izv. Akad. Nauk SSSR, Ser. Mat. 53, No. 3, 607-643 (1989; Zbl 0692.57015)] considers only vector fields that are transverse to \(\partial M\) while the authors allow simple tangency to \(\partial M\) along simple closed curves. The torsion is defined for a fixed boundary pattern of \(M\) which is a decomposition of \(\partial M\) into simple closed curves of tangency and interiors of compact surfaces determining where vectors point inwards and where vectors point outwards. Torsion can be computed via a branched standard spine of \(M\). As an application of the theory of torsion the authors consider pseudo-Legendrian knots, which are knots transverse to a given Euler field. In particular, torsion is related to the Alexander invariant for pseudo-Legendrian knots in homology \(3\)-spheres, and it is shown that torsion can be used to distinguish knots that are framed isotopic but not pseudo-Legendrian isotopic.