A Casson-Lin type invariant for links (Q600665)

This paper extends the Casson-Lin invariant [\textit{X.-S. Lin}, J. Differ. Geom. 35, No.2, 337--357 (1992; Zbl 0774.57007)] from knots to two component links. Lin's invariant, \(h(K)\), is defined using a signed count of the conjugacy classes of irreducible \(SU(2)\)-representations of the knot group with trace \(0\) meridians. Lin showed that his invariant is equal to the signature of a knot. In the present paper, the authors extend Lin's construction to two component links by using a signed count of projective \(SU(2)\)-representations of the link group with a fixed \(2\)-cocycle representing a non-trivial element in the second cohomology group of the link group. The authors then go on to show that, up to a sign, their invariant is equal to the linking number.