On symplectic cobordisms (Q697367)

This paper considers a notion of cobordism for two contact \(3\)-manifolds through a symplectic \(4\)-manifold. Various conditions are imposed to make the cobordism appropriately compatible with the structures involved. For instance, a vector field should exist so that interior multiplication of the symplectic form by it restricts to contact forms on the \(3\)-manifolds compatible with the given contact structures. A ``complex condition'' produces the notion of a Stein cobordism and it is shown that any contact \(3\)-manifold is Stein cobordant to a Stein fillable one (i.e., a contact \(3\)-manifold such that the empty set is Stein cobordant to the manifold). Also, it is proved that an overtwisted contact \(3\)-manifold is Stein cobordant to any contact \(3\)-manifold (thus making all overtwisted manifolds equivalent under Stein cobordism).