Multivariable link invariants arising from \(\mathfrak {sl}(2|1)\) and the Alexander polynomial (Q878677)

The authors construct a multivariable invariant \(F'\) of framed links by using the ribbon category of topologically free \(U_hsl(2| 1)\)-modules of finite rank. A key ingredient is a renormalization of the Reshetikhin-Turaev construction, which leads to a trivial invariant on generic representations. It is proved that \(F'\) extends the two-variable Links-Gould invariant of unframed oriented links with ordered components. A complete set of skein relations for \(F'\) is given. After a suitable variable reduction, \(F'\) specializes to the Conway potential function (a refinement of the multivariable Alexander polynomial).