A polynomial invariant and duality for triangulations (Q743656)

Summary: The Tutte polynomial \({T}_G(X,Y)\) of a graph \(G\) is a classical invariant, important in combinatorics and~statistical mechanics. An essential feature of the Tutte polynomial is the duality for planar graphs \(G\), \(T_G(X,Y) = {T}_{G^{*}}(Y,X)\) where \(G^*\) denotes the dual graph. We examine this property from the perspective of manifold topology, formulating polynomial invariants for higher-dimensional simplicial complexes. Polynomial duality for triangulations of a sphere follows as a consequence of Alexander duality. The main goal of this paper is to introduce and begin the study of a more general \(4\)-variable polynomial for triangulations and handle decompositions of orientable manifolds. Polynomial duality in this case is a consequence of Poincaré duality on manifolds. In dimension 2 these invariants specialize to the well-known polynomial invariants of ribbon graphs defined by \textit{B. Bollobás} and \textit{O. Riordan} [Proc. Lond. Math. Soc., III. Ser. 83, No. 3, 513--531 (2001; Zbl 1015.05024)]. Examples and specific evaluations of the polynomials are discussed.