Deligne-Beilinson Cohomology and Abelian Link Invariants
For the Abelian Chern-Simons field theory, we consider the quantum functional integration over the Deligne-Beilinson cohomology classes and we derive the main properties of the observables in a generic closed orientable 3-manifold. We present an explicit path-integral non-perturbative computation of...
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irk-123456789-1489992019-02-20T01:24:34Z Deligne-Beilinson Cohomology and Abelian Link Invariants Guadagnini, E. Thuillier, F. For the Abelian Chern-Simons field theory, we consider the quantum functional integration over the Deligne-Beilinson cohomology classes and we derive the main properties of the observables in a generic closed orientable 3-manifold. We present an explicit path-integral non-perturbative computation of the Chern-Simons link invariants in the case of the torsion-free 3-manifolds S³, S¹ × S² and S¹ × Σg. 2008 Article Deligne-Beilinson Cohomology and Abelian Link Invariants / E. Guadagnini, F. Thuillier // Symmetry, Integrability and Geometry: Methods and Applications. — 2008. — Т. 4. — Бібліогр.: 41 назв. — англ. 1815-0659 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification: 81T70; 14F43; 57M27 http://dspace.nbuv.gov.ua/handle/123456789/148999 en Symmetry, Integrability and Geometry: Methods and Applications Інститут математики НАН України |
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For the Abelian Chern-Simons field theory, we consider the quantum functional integration over the Deligne-Beilinson cohomology classes and we derive the main properties of the observables in a generic closed orientable 3-manifold. We present an explicit path-integral non-perturbative computation of the Chern-Simons link invariants in the case of the torsion-free 3-manifolds S³, S¹ × S² and S¹ × Σg. |
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Article |
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Guadagnini, E. Thuillier, F. |
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Guadagnini, E. Thuillier, F. Deligne-Beilinson Cohomology and Abelian Link Invariants Symmetry, Integrability and Geometry: Methods and Applications |
| author_facet |
Guadagnini, E. Thuillier, F. |
| author_sort |
Guadagnini, E. |
| title |
Deligne-Beilinson Cohomology and Abelian Link Invariants |
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Deligne-Beilinson Cohomology and Abelian Link Invariants |
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Deligne-Beilinson Cohomology and Abelian Link Invariants |
| title_fullStr |
Deligne-Beilinson Cohomology and Abelian Link Invariants |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Deligne-Beilinson Cohomology and Abelian Link Invariants |
| title_sort |
deligne-beilinson cohomology and abelian link invariants |
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Інститут математики НАН України |
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2008 |
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http://dspace.nbuv.gov.ua/handle/123456789/148999 |
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Deligne-Beilinson Cohomology and Abelian Link Invariants / E. Guadagnini, F. Thuillier // Symmetry, Integrability and Geometry: Methods and Applications. — 2008. — Т. 4. — Бібліогр.: 41 назв. — англ. |
| series |
Symmetry, Integrability and Geometry: Methods and Applications |
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AT guadagninie delignebeilinsoncohomologyandabelianlinkinvariants AT thuillierf delignebeilinsoncohomologyandabelianlinkinvariants |
| first_indexed |
2025-07-12T20:50:42Z |
| last_indexed |
2025-07-12T20:50:42Z |
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1837475779425861632 |
| fulltext |
Symmetry, Integrability and Geometry: Methods and Applications SIGMA 4 (2008), 078, 30 pages
Deligne–Beilinson Cohomology
and Abelian Link Invariants
Enore GUADAGNINI † and Frank THUILLIER ‡
† Dipartimento di Fisica “E. Fermi” dell’Università di Pisa
and Sezione di Pisa dell’INFN, Italy
E-mail: enore.guadagnini@df.unipi.it
URL: http://www.df.unipi.it/∼guada/
‡ LAPTH, Chemin de Bellevue, BP 110, F-74941 Annecy-le-Vieux cedex, France
E-mail: frank.thuilier@lapp.in2p3.fr
URL: http://lappweb.in2p3.fr/∼thuillie/
Received July 14, 2008, in final form October 27, 2008; Published online November 11, 2008
Original article is available at http://www.emis.de/journals/SIGMA/2008/078/
Abstract. For the Abelian Chern–Simons field theory, we consider the quantum functional
integration over the Deligne–Beilinson cohomology classes and we derive the main properties
of the observables in a generic closed orientable 3-manifold. We present an explicit path-
integral non-perturbative computation of the Chern–Simons link invariants in the case of
the torsion-free 3-manifolds S3, S1 × S2 and S1 × Σg.
Key words: Deligne–Beilinson cohomology; Abelian Chern–Simons; Abelian link invariants
2000 Mathematics Subject Classification: 81T70; 14F43; 57M27
1 Introduction
The topological quantum field theory which is defined by the Chern–Simons action can be
used to compute invariants of links in 3-manifolds [1, 2, 3, 4]. The algebraic structure of these
invariants, which is based on the properties of the characters of simple Lie groups, is rather
general. In fact, these invariants can also be defined by means of skein relations or of quantum
group Hopf algebra methods [5, 6].
In the standard quantum field theory approach, the gauge invariance group of the Abelian
Chern–Simons theory is given by the set of local U(1) gauge transformations and the observables
can directly be computed by means of perturbation theory when the ambient space is R3 (the
result also provides the values of the link invariants in S3). For a nontrivial 3-manifold M3,
the standard gauge theory approach presents some technical difficulties, and one open problem
of the quantum Chern–Simons theory is to produce directly the functional integration in the
case of a generic 3-manifold M3. In this article we will show how this can be done, at least for
a certain class of nontrivial 3-manifolds, by using the Deligne–Beilinson cohomology. We shall
concentrate on the Abelian Chern–Simons invariants; hopefully, the method that we present will
possibly admit an extension to the non-Abelian case.
The Deligne–Beilinson approach presents some remarkable aspects. The space of classical
field configurations which are factorized out by gauge invariance is enlarged with respect to
the standard field theory formalism. Indeed, assuming that the quantum amplitudes given
by the exponential of the holonomies – which are associated with oriented loops — represent
a complete set of observables, the functional integration must locally correspond to a sum over 1-
forms modulo forms with integer periods, i.e. it must correspond to a sum over Deligne–Beilinson
classes. In this new approach, the structure of the functional space admits a natural description
mailto:enore.guadagnini@df.unipi.it
http://www.df.unipi.it/~guada/
mailto:frank.thuilier@lapp.in2p3.fr
http://lappweb.in2p3.fr/~thuillie/
http://www.emis.de/journals/SIGMA/2008/078/
2 E. Guadagnini and F. Thuillier
in terms of the homology groups of the 3-manifold M3. This structure will be used to compute
the Chern–Simons observables, without the use of perturbation theory, on a class of torsion-free
manifolds.
The article is organized as follows. Section 2 contains a description of the basic properties
of the Deligne–Beilinson cohomology and of the distributional extension of the space of the
equivalence classes. The framing procedure is introduced in Section 3. The general properties
of the Abelian Chern–Simons theory are discussed in Section 4; in particular, non-perturbative
proofs of the colour periodicity, of the ambient isotopy invariance and of the satellite relations
are given. The solution of the Chern–Simons theory on S3 is presented in Section 5. The
computations of the observables for the manifolds S1×S2 and S1×Σg are produced in Sections 6
and 7. Section 8 contains a brief description of the surgery rules that can be used to derive the
link invariants in a generic 3-manifold, and it is checked that the results obtained by means
of the Deligne–Beilinson cohomology and by means of the surgery method coincide. Finally,
Section 9 contains the conclusions.
2 Deligne–Beilinson cohomology
The applications of the Deligne–Beilinson (DB) cohomolgy [7, 8, 9, 10, 11] – and of its various
equivalent versions such as the Cheeger–Simons Differential Characters [12, 13] or Sparks [14] –
in quantum physics has been discussed by various authors [15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 20, 22, 23]. For
instance, geometric quantization is based on classes of U(1)-bundles with connections, which are
exactly DB classes of degree one (see Section 8.3 of [24]); and the Aharanov–Bohm effect also
admits a natural description in terms of DB cohomology.
In this article, we shall consider the computation of the Abelian link invariants of the Chern–
Simons theory by means of the DB cohomology. Let L be an oriented (framed and coloured)
link in the 3-manifold M3; one is interested in the ambient isotopy invariant which is defined by
the path-integral expectation value
〈
exp
{
2iπ
∫
L
A
}〉
k
≡
∫
DA exp
{
2iπk
∫
M3
A ∧ dA
}
exp
{
2iπ
∫
LA
}
∫
DA exp
{
2iπk
∫
M3
A ∧ dA
} , (2.1)
where the parameter k represents the dimensionless coupling constant of the field theory. In
equation (2.1), the holonomy associated with the link L is defined in terms of a U (1)-connec-
tion A on M3; this holonomy is closely related to the classes of U(1)-bundles with connections
that represent DB cohomology classes. The Chern–Simons lagrangian A∧dA can be understood
as a DB cohomology class from the Cheeger–Simons Differential Characters point of view, and
it can also be interpreted as a DB “square” of A which is defined, as we shall see, by means of
the DB ∗-product.
To sum up, the DB cohomology appears to be the natural framework which should be used in
order to compute the Chern–Simons expectation values (2.1). As we shall see, this will imply the
quantization of the coupling constant k and it will actually provide the integration measure DA
with a nontrivial structure which is related to the homology of the manifold M3. It should be
noted that the gauge invariance of the Chern–Simons action and of the observables is totally
included into the DB setting: working with DB classes means that we have already taken the
quotient by gauge transformations.
Although we won’t describe DB cohomology in full details, we shall now present a few pro-
perties of the DB cohomology that will be useful for the non-perturbative computation of the
observables (2.1).
Deligne–Beilinson Cohomology and Abelian Link Invariants 3
2.1 General properties
Let M be a smooth oriented compact manifold without boundary of finite dimension n. The
Deligne cohomology group of M of degree q, Hq
D (M,Z), can be described as the central term
of the following exact sequence
0 −→ Ωq (M)
/
Ωq
Z (M) −→ Hq
D (M,Z) −→ Hq+1 (M,Z) −→ 0, (2.2)
where Ωq (M) is the space of smooth q-forms on M , Ωq
Z (M) the space of smooth closed q-forms
with integral periods on M and Hq+1 (M,Z) is the (q + 1)th integral cohomology group of M .
This last space can be taken as simplicial, singular or Cech. There is another exact sequence
into which Hq
D (M,Z) can be embedded, namely
0 −→ Hq (M,R/Z) −→ Hq
D (M,Z) −→ Ωq+1
Z (M) −→ 0, (2.3)
where Hq (M,R/Z) is the R/Z-cohomology group of M [11, 14, 25].
One can compute Hq
D (M,Z) by using a (hyper) cohomological resolution of a double complex
of Cech–de Rham type, as explained for instance in [9, 25]. In this approach, Hq
D (M,Z) appears
as the set of equivalence classes of DB cocycles which are defined by sequences (ω(0,q), ω(1,q−1),
. . . , ω(q,0), ω(q+1,−1)), where ω(p,q−p) denotes a collection of smooth (q− p)-forms in the intersec-
tions of degree p of some open sets of a good open covering of M , and ω(q+1,−1) is an integer
Cech (p+1)-cocyle for this open good covering of M . These forms satisfy cohomological descent
equations of the type δω(p−1,q−p+1) + dω(p,q−p) = 0, and the equivalence relation is defined via
the δ and d operations, which are respectively the Cech and de Rham differentials. The Cech–
de Rham point of view has the advantage of producing “explicit” expressions for representatives
of DB classes in some good open covering of M .
Definition 2.1. Let ω be a q-form which is globally defined on the manifold M . We shall
denote by [ω] ∈ Hq
D (M,Z) the DB class which, in the Cech–de Rham double complex approach,
is represented by the sequence (ω(0,q) = ω, ω(1,q−1) = 0, . . . , ω(q,0) = 0, ω(q+1,−1) = 0).
From sequence (2.2) it follows that Hq
D (M,Z) can be understood as an affine bundle over
Hq+1 (M,Z), whose fibres have a typical underlying (infinite dimensional) vector space struc-
ture given by Ωq (M)/Ωq
Z (M). Equivalently, Ωq (M)/Ωq
Z (M) canonically acts on the fibres of
the bundle Hq
D (M,Z) by translation. From a geometrical point of view, H1
D (M,Z) is canoni-
cally isomorphic to the space of equivalence classes of U (1)-principal bundles with connections
over M (see for instance [14, 25]). A generalisation of this idea has been proposed by means
of Abelian Gerbes (see for instance [11, 26]) and Abelian Gerbes with connections over M . In
this framework, Hq+1 (M,Z) classifies equivalence classes of some Abelian Gerbes over M , in
the same way as H2 (M,Z) is the space which classifies the U (1)-principal bundles over M ,
and Hq
D (M,Z) appears as the set of equivalence classes of some Abelian Gerbes with connec-
tions. Finally, the space Ωq
Z (M) can be interpreted as the group of generalised Abelian gauge
transformations.
We shall mostly be concerned with the cases q = 1 and q = 3. As for M , we will consider
the three dimensional cases M3 = S3, M3 = S1×S2 and M3 = S1×Σg, where Σg is a Riemann
surface of genus g ≥ 1. In particular, M3 is oriented and torsion free. In all these cases, the
exact sequence (2.2) for q = 3 reads
0 −→ Ω3 (M3)/Ω3
Z (M3) −→ H3
D (M3,Z) −→ H4 (M3,Z) = 0 −→ 0,
where the first non trivial term reduces to
Ω3 (M3)
Ω3
Z (M3)
∼=
R
Z
. (2.4)
4 E. Guadagnini and F. Thuillier
Figure 1. Presentation of the Deligne–Beilinson affine bundle H1
D
(
S1 × S2,Z
)
.
The validity of equation (2.4) can easily be checked by using a volume form onM3. By definition,
for any (ρ, τZ) ∈ Ω3 (M3)× Ω3
Z (M3) one has
[ρ+ τZ] = [ρ] ∈ H3
D (M3,Z) ;
consequently
H3
D (M3,Z) ' Ω3 (M3)
Ω3
Z (M3)
∼=
R
Z
.
These results imply that any Abelian 2-Gerbes on M3 is trivial (H4 (M3,Z) = 0), and the set
of classes of Abelian 2-Gerbes with connections on M3 is isomorphic to R/Z. In the less trivial
case q = 1, sequence (2.2) reads
0 −→ Ω1 (M3)/Ω1
Z (M3) −→ H1
D (M3,Z) −→ H2 (M3,Z) −→ 0. (2.5)
Still by definition, for any (η, ωZ) ∈ Ω1 (M3)× Ω1
Z (M3) one has
[η + ωZ] = [η] ∈ H1
D (M3,Z) .
When H2 (M3,Z) = 0, sequence (2.5) turns into a short exact sequence; this also implies
H1 (M3,Z) = 0 due to Poincaré duality. For the 3-sphere S3, the base space of H1
D
(
S3,Z
)
is trivial. Whereas, the bundle H1
D
(
S1 × S2,Z
)
has base space H2
(
S1 × S2,Z
) ∼= Z and, as de-
picted in Fig. 1, its fibres are (infinite dimensional) affine spaces whose underlying linear space
identifies with the quotient space Ω1
(
S1 × S2
)
/Ω1
Z
(
S1 × S2
)
. In the general case M3 = S1×Σg
with g ≥ 1, the base space H2
(
S1 × Σg,Z
)
is isomorphic to Z2g+1.
Finally, one should note that sequence (2.5) also gives information on Ω1
Z (M3) since its
structure is mainly given by the H1
D (M3,Z). For instance, Ω1
Z
(
S3
)
= dΩ0
(
S3
)
, all other cases
being not so trivial.
2.2 Holonomy and pairing
As we have already mentioned, DB cohomology is the natural framework in which integration (or
holonomy) of a U (1)-connection over 1-cycles of M3 can be defined and generalised to objects
of higher dimension (n-connections and n-cycles). In fact integration of a DB cohomology class
[χ] ∈ Hq
D (M,Z) over a q-cycle of M , denoted by C ∈ Zq (M), appears as a R/Z-valued linear
pairing
〈 , 〉q : Hq
D (M,Z)× Zq (M) −→ R/Z = S1,
([χ] , C) −→ 〈[χ] , C〉q ≡
∫
C
[χ], (2.6)
Deligne–Beilinson Cohomology and Abelian Link Invariants 5
which establishes the equivalence between DB cohomology and Cheeger–Simons characters [12,
13, 11, 14, 25]. Accordingly, a quantity such as
exp
{
2iπ
∫
C
[χ]
}
is well defined and corresponds to the fundamental representation of R/Z = S1 ' U (1). Using
the Chech–de Rham description of DB cocycles, one can then produce explicit formulae [25] for
the pairing (2.6).
Alternatively, (2.6) can be seen as a dualising equation. More precisely, any C ∈ Zq (M)
belongs to the Pontriagin dual of Hq
D (M,Z), usually denoted by Hom
(
Hq
D (M,Z) , S1
)
, the
pairing (2.6) providing a canonical injection
Zq (M) ~⊂Hom
(
Hq
D (M,Z) , S1
)
. (2.7)
A universal result [27] about the Hom functor implies the validity of the exact sequences, duali-
sing (2.2) (via (2.3)),
0 −→ Hom
(
Ωq+1
Z (M) , S1
)
−→ Hom
(
Hq
D (M,Z) , S1
)
−→ Hn−q (M,Z) −→ 0, (2.8)
where Hn−q (M,Z) ∼= Hom
(
Hq (M,R/Z) , S1
)
.
The space Hom
(
Hq
D (M,Z) , S1
)
also contains Hn−q−1
D (M,Z), so that Zq (M) (or rather its
canonical injection (2.7)) can be seen as lying on the boundary of Hn−q−1
D (M,Z) (see details
in [14]). Accordingly
Zq (M)⊕Hn−q−1
D (M,Z) ⊂ Hom
(
Hq
D (M,Z) , S1
)
, (2.9)
with the obvious abuse in the notation. Let us point out that, as suggested by equation (2.9),
one could represent integral cycles by currents which are singular (i.e. distributional) forms.
This issue will be discussed in detail in next subsection.
Now, sequence (2.8) shows that Hom
(
Hq
D (M,Z) , S1
)
is also an affine bundle with base space
Hn−q (M,Z). In particular, let us consider the case in which n = 3 and q = 1; on the one hand,
Poincaré duality implies
Hn−q (M,Z) = H2 (M3,Z) ∼= H1 (M3,Z) .
On the other hand, one has
H1
D (M,Z) ⊂ Hom
(
H1
D (M,Z) , S1
)
,
and, because of the Pontriagin duality,
Z1 (M)⊕H1
D (M,Z) ⊂ Hom
(
H1
D (M,Z) , S1
)
.
This is somehow reminiscent of the self-dual situation in the case of four dimensional manifolds
and curvature.
2.3 The product
The pairing (2.6) is actually related to another pairing of DB cohomology groups
Hp
D (M,Z)×Hq
D (M,Z) −→ Hp+q+1
D (M,Z) , (2.10)
whose explicit description can be found for instance in [12, 14, 25]. This pairing is known as
the DB product (or DB ∗-product). It will be denoted by ∗. In the Cech–de Rham approach,
6 E. Guadagnini and F. Thuillier
the DB product of the DB cocyle (ω(0,p), ω(1,p−1), . . . , ω(p,0), ω(p+1,−1)) with the DB cocycle
(η(0,q), η(1,q−1), . . . , η(q,0), η(q+1,−1)) reads(
ω(0,p)∪dη(0,q), . . . , ω(p,0)∪dη(0,q), bω(p+1,−1)∪η(0,q), . . . , ω(p+1,−1)∪η(n−p,−1)
)
, (2.11)
where the product ∪ is precisely defined in [28, 9, 25], for instance.
Definition 2.2. Let us consider the sequence (η(0,q), η(1,q−1), . . . , η(q,0), η(q+1,−1)), in which the
components η(k−q,k) satisfy the same descent equations as the components of a DB cocycle but,
instead of smooth forms, these components are currents (i.e. distributional forms). This allows
to extend the (smooth) cohomology group Hq
D (M,Z) to a larger cohomology group that we will
denote H̃q
D (M,Z).
Obviously, the DB product (2.11) of a smooth DB cocycle with a distributional one is still
well-defined, and thus the pairing (2.10) extends to
Hp
D (M,Z)× H̃q
D (M,Z) −→ H̃p+q+1
D (M,Z) .
Then, it can be checked [25] that any class [η] ∈ H̃n−q−1
D (M,Z) canonically defines a R/Z-valued
linear pairing as in (2.6) so that
H̃n−q−1
D (M,Z) ⊂ Hom
(
Hq
D (M,Z) , S1
)
.
It is important to note that, as it was shown in [25], to any C ∈ Zq(M) there corresponds
a canonical DB class [ηC ] ∈ H̃n−q−1
D (M,Z) such that
exp
{
2iπ
∫
C
[χ]
}
= exp
{
2iπ
∫
M
[χ] ∗ [ηC ]
}
,
for any [χ] ∈ Hq
D (M,Z). This means that we have the following sequence of canonical inclusions
Zq(M) ⊂ H̃n−q−1
D (M,Z) ⊂ Hom
(
Hq
D (M,Z) , S1
)
.
Let us point out the trivial inclusion
Hn−q−1
D (M,Z) ⊂ H̃n−q−1
D (M,Z) .
In the 3 dimensional case, let us consider the DB product
H1
D (M3,Z)×H1
D (M3,Z) −→ H3
D (M3,Z) ∼= R/Z. (2.12)
Starting from equation (2.12) and extending it to
H1
D (M3,Z)× H̃1
D (M3,Z) −→ H̃3
D (M3,Z) ∼= R/Z,
one finds that it is possible to associate with any 1-cycle C ∈ Z1 (M3) a canonical DB class
[ηC ] ∈ H̃1
D (M3,Z) such that
exp
{
2iπ
∫
C
[ω]
}
= exp
{
2iπ
∫
M3
[ω] ∗ [ηC ]
}
, (2.13)
for any [ω] ∈ H1
D (M3,Z). As an an alternative point of view, consider a smoothing homotopy
of C within H1
D (M3,Z), that is, a sequence of smooth DB classes [ηε] ∈ H1
D (M,Z) such that
(see [14] for details)
lim
ε→0
exp
{
2iπ
∫
M
[A] ∗ [ηε]
}
= exp
{
2iπ
∫
C
[A]
}
. (2.14)
Deligne–Beilinson Cohomology and Abelian Link Invariants 7
Figure 2. In a open domain with local coordinates (x, y, z), a piece of a homologically trivial loop C
can be identified with the y axis, and the disc that it bounds (Seifert surface) can be identified with
a portion of the half plane (x < 0, y, z = 0).
This implies
lim
ε→0
[ηε] = [ηC ] (2.15)
within the completion H̃1
D (M3,Z) of H1
D (M3,Z); this is why in [14] [ηC ] is said to belong
to the boundary of H1
D (M3,Z). It should be noted that, by definition, the limit (2.14) and
the corresponding limit (2.15) are always well defined. For this reason, in what follows we
shall concentrate directly to the distributional space H̃1
D (M3,Z) and, in the presentation of
the various arguments, the possibility of adopting a limiting procedure of the type shown in
equation (2.14) will be simply understood.
Finally, let us point out that with the aforementioned geometrical interpretation of DB coho-
mology classes, the DB product of smooth classes canonically defines a product within the space
of Abelian Gerbes with connections. For instance, the DB product of two classes of U(1)-bundles
with connections over M turns out to be a class of U(1)-gerbe with connection over M .
2.4 Distributional forms and Seifert surfaces
How to construct the class [ηC ], which enters equation (2.13), is explained in detail for instance
in [25]. Here we outline the main steps of the construction and we consider, for illustrative
purposes, the case M3 ∼ S3. The integral of a one-form ω along an oriented knot C ⊂ S3 can
be written as the integral on the whole S3 of the external product ω∧JC , where the current JC
is a distributional 2-form with support on the knot C; that is,
∫
C ω =
∫
S3 ω ∧ JC . Since JC can
be understood as the boundary of an oriented surface ΣC in S3 (called a Siefert surface), one
has JC = dηC for some 1-form ηC with support on ΣC . One then finds,
∫
C ω =
∫
S3 ω ∧ dηC ,
which corresponds precisely to equation (2.13) with [ηC ] ∈ H̃1
D
(
S3,Z
)
denoting the Deligne
cohomology class which is associated to ηC and with [ω] ∈ H1
D
(
S3,Z
)
denoting the class which
can be represented by ω.
Let us consider, for instance, the unknot C in S3, shown in Fig. 2, with a simple disc as
Seifert surface. Inside the open domain depicted in Fig. 2, the oriented knot is described – in
local coordinates (x, y, z) – by a piece of the y-axis and the corresponding distributional forms JC
and ηC are given by
JC = δ(z)δ(x)dz ∧ dx, ηC = δ(z)θ(−x)dz. (2.16)
For a generic 3-manifold M3 and for each oriented knot C ⊂ M3, the distributional 2-
form JC always exists, whereas a corresponding Seifert surface and the associated 1-form ηC
can in general be (globally) defined only when the second cohomology group of M3 is vanishing.
Nevertheless, the class [ηC ] ∈ H̃1
D (M,Z) is always well defined for arbitrary 3-manifold M3. In
8 E. Guadagnini and F. Thuillier
fact, when a Seifert surface associated with C ⊂M3 does not exist, the Chech–de Rham cocycle
sequence representing [ηC ] ∈ H̃1
D (M,Z) is locally of the form (η(0,1)
C ,Λ(1,0)
C , N
(2,−1)
C ) where,
inside sufficiently small open domains, the expression of η(0,1)
C is trivial or may coincide with
the expression (2.16) for ηC , and Λ(1,0)
C and N
(2,−1)
C are nontrivial components (when a Seifert
surface exists, the components Λ(1,0)
C and N (2,−1)
C are trivial).
3 Linking and self-linking
As we have already mentioned, in the context of equation (2.13) the pairing H1
D (M3,Z) ×
H̃1
D (M3,Z) → H̃3
D (M3,Z) is well defined. However, in what follows we shall also need to con-
sider a pairing induced by the DB product of the type H̃1
D (M3,Z)× H̃1
D (M3,Z) → H̃3
D (M3,Z)
and this presents in general ambiguities that we need to fix by means of some conventional
procedure.
3.1 Linking number
Let us consider first the case M3 ∼ S3. Let C1 and C2 be two non-intersecting oriented knots
in S3 and let η1 and η2 the corresponding distributional 1-forms described in Section 2.4, one
has ∫
S3
η1 ∧ dη2 =
∫
S3
η2 ∧ dη1 = `k(C1, C2), (3.1)
where `k(C1, C2) denotes the linking number of C1 and C2, which is an integer valued ambient
isotopy invariant. In fact, η1 ∧ dη2 represents an intersection form counting how many times C2
intersects the Seifert surface associated with C1 (see also, for instance, [28, 29]). Let [η1] and [η2]
denote the DB classes which are associated with η1 and η2; since the linking number is an integer,
one finds
exp
{
2iπ
∫
S3
[η1] ∗ [η2]
}
= exp
{
2iπ
∫
S3
[η2] ∗ [η1]
}
= exp
{
2iπ
∫
S3
η1 ∧ dη2]
}
= 1. (3.2)
Equations (3.1) and (3.2) show that the product [η1] ∗ [η2] is well defined and just corresponds
to the trivial class
[η1] ∗ [η2] = [0] ∈ H̃3
D
(
S3,Z
)
. (3.3)
In the next sections, we shall encounter the linking number in the DB cohomology context in
the following form. Let x be a real number, since η2 is globally defined in S3, the 1-form xη2 is
also globally defined. Let us denote by [xη2] the DB class which is represented by the form xη2.
One has
exp
{
2iπ
∫
S3
[η1] ∗ [xη2]
}
= exp
{
2iπ
∫
S3
η1 ∧ d(xη2)
}
= exp {2iπx`k(C1, C2)} . (3.4)
3.2 Framing
Let ηC be the distributional 1-form which is associated with the oriented knot C ⊂ S3; for
a single knot, the expression of the self-linking number∫
S3
ηC ∧ dηC (3.5)
Deligne–Beilinson Cohomology and Abelian Link Invariants 9
is not well defined because the self-intersection form ηC ∧ dηC has ambiguities. This means
that, similarly to what happens with the product of distributions, at the level of the class
[ηC ] ∈ H̃1
D
(
S3,Z
)
, the product [ηC ] ∗ [ηC ] is not well defined a priori.
As shown in equations (2.14) and (2.15), [ηC ] can be determined by means of the ε→ 0 limit
of [ηε] ∈ H1
D (M3,Z). One could then try to define the product [ηC ] ∗ [ηC ] by means of the same
limit
lim
ε→0
∫
S3
[ηε] ∗ [ηε] =
∫
S3
[ηC ] ∗ [ηC ]. (3.6)
Unfortunately, the limit (3.6) does not exist, because the value that one obtains for the inte-
gral (3.6) in the ε→ 0 limit nontrivially depends on the way in which [ηε] approaches [ηC ]. This
problem will be solved by the introduction of the framing procedure, which ultimately specifies
how [ηε] approaches [ηC ]. One should note that the ambiguities entering the integral (3.5) and
the limit (3.6) also appear in the Gauss integral
1
4π
∮
C
dxµ
∮
C
dyνεµνρ
(x− y)ρ
|x− y|3
, (3.7)
which corresponds to the self-linking number. A direct computation [30] shows that the value of
the integral (3.7) is a real number which is not invariant under ambient isotopy transformations;
in fact, it can be smoothly modified by means of smooth deformations of the knot C in S3. In
order to remove all ambiguities and define the product [ηC ] ∗ [ηC ], we shall adopt the framing
procedure [29, 31], which is also used for giving a topological meaning to the self-linking number.
Definition 3.1. A solid torus is a space homeomorphic to S1×D2, whereD2 is a two dimensional
disc; in the complex plane, D2 can be represented by the set {z, with |z| ≤ 1}. Consider now an
oriented knot C ⊂ S3; a tubular neighbourhood VC of C is a solid torus embedded in S3 whose
core is C. A given homeomorphism h : S1 ×D2 → VC is called a framing for C. The image of
the standard longitude h(S1×1) represents a knot Cf ⊂ S3, also called the framing of C, which
lies in a neighbourhood of C and whose orientation is fixed to agree with the orientation of C.
Up to isotopy transformations, the homeonorphism h is specified by Cf .
Clearly, the thickness of the tubular neighbourhood VC of C is chosen to be sufficiently
small so that, in the presence of several link components for instance, any knot different from C
belongs to the complement of VC ⊂ S3.
For each framed knot C, with framing Cf , the self-linking number of C is defined to be
`k(C,Cf ),∫
S3
ηC ∧ dηC ≡
∫
S3
ηC ∧ dηCf
= `k(C,Cf ). (3.8)
Definition 3.2. In agreement with equation (3.8), one can consistently define the product
[ηC ] ∗ [ηC ] as
[ηC ] ∗ [ηC ] ≡ [ηC ] ∗ [ηCf
]. (3.9)
Definition (3.9) together with equations (3.8) and (3.3) imply that, for each framed knot C
(in S3), the product [ηC ] ∗ [ηC ] is well defined and corresponds to the trivial class
[ηC ] ∗ [ηC ] = [0] ∈ H̃3
D
(
S3,Z
)
.
10 E. Guadagnini and F. Thuillier
Remark 3.1. The product [ηC ]∗ [ηC ] also admits a definition which differs from equation (3.9)
but, as far as the computation of the Chern–Simons observables is concerned, is equivalent to
equation (3.9). Instead of dealing with a tubular neighbourhood VC with sufficiently small but
finite thickness, one can define a limit in which the transverse size of the neighbourhood VC
vanishes. Let ρ > 0 be the size of the diameter of the tubular neighbourhood VC(ρ) of the
knot C; ρ is defined with respect to some (topology compatible) metric g. The homeomorphism
h(ρ) : S1 ×D2 → VC(ρ) is assumed to depend smoothly on ρ. Then, the corresponding framing
knot Cf (ρ) also smoothly depends on ρ. Consequently, the linking number `k(C,Cf (ρ)) does
not depend on the value of ρ and it will be denoted by `k(C,Cf ). It should be noted that
`k(C,Cf ) does not depend on the choice of the metric g. In the ρ → 0 limit, the solid torus
VC(ρ) shrinks to its core C and the framing Cf (ρ) goes to C. One can then define ηC ∧ dηC
according to∫
S3
ηC ∧ dηC ≡ lim
ρ→0
∫
S3
ηC ∧ dηCf (ρ) = lim
ρ→0
`k(C,Cf (ρ)) = `k(C,Cf ). (3.10)
In agreement with equation (3.10), one can put
[ηC ] ∗ [ηC ] ≡ lim
ρ→0
[ηC ] ∗ [ηCf (ρ)]. (3.11)
Remark 3.2. The definition (3.9) of the DB product [ηC ] ∗ [ηC ] is consistent with equations
(3.2)–(3.4) and is topologically well defined. In fact, in the case of an oriented framed link L
with N components {C1, C2, . . . , CN} the corresponding canonical class [ηL] ∈ H̃1
D
(
S3,Z
)
is
equivalent to the sum of the classes which are associated with the single components, i.e. [ηL] =∑
j [ηj ]. Thus one finds
[ηL] ∗ [ηL] =
∑
j
[ηj ] ∗ [ηj ] + 2
∑
i<j
[ηi] ∗ [ηj ]. (3.12)
The framing procedure which is used to define the DB product [ηL]∗ [ηL] guarantees that, if one
integrates the 3-forms entering expression (3.12), the result does not depend on the particular
choice of the Seifert surface which is used to (locally) define the distributional forms associated
with L. This means that the framing procedure preserves both gauge invariance and ambient
isotopy invariance.
Remark 3.3. In order to define the extension of the DB product to distributional DB classes,
one could try to start from equation (2.11). In this case, the product of the DB representatives
of two cycles (2.11) would only contain local integral chains and the cup product ∪ would just
reduce to the intersection number of such integral chains (once these chains have been placed
into transverse position, which is always possible because of the freedom in the choice of the
DB cocycles representing a given DB class). Accordingly, the extension of the product to the
distributional case would only produce integral chains and eventually integers in the integrals.
Finally, by using smooth approximations of the cycles within (2.11) and then performing the
limits, as described above in equation (3.11), one would obtain the same result. Note that, in
this last approach, the limit would be performed with the linking number `k(C,Cf ) fixed. This
is similar to the definition of the charge density of a charged point particle by taking the limit
r → 0 of a uniformly charged sphere of radius r while keeping the total charge of the sphere
fixed, which leads to the well-known Dirac delta-distribution.
Knots or links can be framed in any oriented 3-manifold M3. In order to preserve the
topological properties of the pairing H̃1
D
(
S3,Z
)
× H̃1
D
(
S3,Z
)
→ H̃3
D
(
S3,Z
)
which is defined
by means of framing in S3, we shall extend the framing procedure to the case of a generic
3-manifold M3 by extending the validity of properties (3.3) and (3.9).
Deligne–Beilinson Cohomology and Abelian Link Invariants 11
Definition 3.3. If [η1] and [η2] are the classes in H̃1
D (M3,Z) which are canonically associated
with the oriented nonintersecting knots C1 and C2 in M3, in agreement with equation (3.3) we
shall eliminate the (possible) ambiguities of the product [η1] ∗ [η2] in such a way that
[η1] ∗ [η2] = [0] ∈ H̃3
D (M3,Z) . (3.13)
Consequently, for each oriented framed knot C ⊂M3 with framing Cf , we shall use the definition
[ηC ] ∗ [ηC ] ≡ [ηC ] ∗ [ηCf
] = [0] ∈ H̃3
D (M3,Z) . (3.14)
Remark 3.4. Definition (3.14) can also be understood by starting from equation (2.11) and
by using the same arguments that have been presented in the case M3 ∼ S3. Let us point out
that, unlike the S3 case, for generic M3 one finds directly equation (3.14) without the validity
of some intermediate relations like equation (3.8), which may not be well defined for M3 6∼ S3.
4 Abelian Chern–Simons field theory
4.1 Action functional
If one uses the Cech–de Rham double complex to describe DB classes, it can easily be shown
that the first component of a DB product of a U (1)-connection A with itself is given by A∧ dA
or, more precisely, it is given by the collection of all these products taken in the open sets of
a good cover of M3. This means that the expression of the Chern–Simons lagrangian of a U (1)-
connection A can be understood as a DB class which coincides with the “DB square” of the
class of A. Let [A] denote the DB class associated to the U (1)-connection A, the Chern–Simons
functional SCS is given by
SCS =
∫
M3
[A] ∗ [A].
By definition of the DB cohomology, the Chern–Simons action SCS is an element of R/Z and
then it is defined modulo integers. Consequently, in the functional measure of the path-integral,
the phase factor which is induced by the action has to be of the type
exp {2iπkSCS} = exp
{
2iπk
∫
M3
[A] ∗ [A]
}
,
where the coupling constant k must be a nonvanishing integer
k ∈ Z, k 6= 0.
A modification of the orientation of M3 is equivalent to the replacement k → −k.
4.2 Observables
The observables that we shall consider are given by the expectation values of the Wilson line
operators W (L) associated with links L in M3. An oriented coloured and framed link L ⊂ M3
with N components is the union of non-intersecting knots {C1, C2, . . . , CN} in M3, where each
knot Cj (with j = 1, 2, . . . , N) is oriented and framed, and its colour is represented by an integer
charge qj ∈ Z. For any given DB class [A], the classical expression of W (L) is given by
W (L) =
N∏
j=1
exp
{
2iπqj
∫
Cj
[A]
}
= exp
2iπ
∑
j
qj
∫
Cj
[A]
, (4.1)
12 E. Guadagnini and F. Thuillier
which actually corresponds to the pairing (2.6)
W (L) = exp
{
2iπ
∫
L
[A]
}
≡ exp {2iπ 〈[A] , L〉1} .
Once more, each factor
exp
{
2iπqj
∫
Cj
[A]
}
, (4.2)
which appears in expression (4.1), is well defined if and only if qj ∈ Z; that is why the charges
associated with knots must take integer values. A modification of the orientation of the knot Cj
is equivalent to the replacement qj → −qj . Obviously, any link component with colour q = 0
can be eliminated.
Remark 4.1. The classical expression (4.1) does not depend on the framing of the knots {Cj};
however, only for framed links are the Wilson line operators well defined. The point is that, in the
quantum Chern–Simons field theory, the field components correspond to distributional valued
operators, and the Wilson line operators are formally defined by expression (4.1) together with
a set of specified rules which must be used to remove possible ambiguities in the computation of
the expectation values. In the operator formalism, these ambiguities are related to the product
of field operators in the same point [32, 33] and they are eliminated by means of a framing
procedure. In the path-integral approach, we shall see that all the ambiguities are related to the
definition of the pairing H̃1
D (M3,Z) × H̃1
D (M3,Z) → H̃3
D (M3,Z); as it has been discussed in
Section 3, we shall use the framing of the link components to eliminate all ambiguities by means
of the definition (3.14).
Remark 4.2. In equations (4.1) and (4.2), we have used the same symbol to denote knots and
their homological representatives because a canonical correspondence [28] between them always
exists. At the classical level, for any integer q one can identify the 1-cycle qC ∈ Z1(M) with
the q-fold covering of the cycle C or the q-times product of C with itself. At the quantum level,
this equivalence may not be valid when it is applied to the Wilson line operators because of
ambiguities in the definition of composite operators; so, in order to avoid inaccuracies, we will
always refer to Wilson line operators defined for oriented coloured and framed knots or links.
Definition 4.1. For each link component Cj , let [ηj ] ∈ H̃1
D (M3,Z) be the DB class such that
exp
{
2iπqj
∫
Cj
[A]
}
= exp
{
2iπqj
∫
M3
[A] ∗ [ηj ]
}
.
With the definition
[ηL] =
∑
j
qj [ηj ], (4.3)
one has
exp
{
2iπ
∫
M3
[A] ∗ [ηL]
}
= exp
2iπ
∑
j
qj
∫
M3
[A] ∗ [ηj ]
.
The expectation values of the Wilson line operators can be written in the form
〈W (L)〉k ≡
∫
D [A] exp
{
2iπk
∫
M3
[A] ∗ [A]
}
W (L)∫
D [A] exp
{
2iπk
∫
M3
[A] ∗ [A]
}
Deligne–Beilinson Cohomology and Abelian Link Invariants 13
=
∫
D [A] exp
{
2iπk
∫
M3
[A] ∗ [A]
}
exp
{
2iπ
∫
M3
[A] ∗ [ηL]
}
∫
D [A] exp
{
2iπk
∫
M3
[A] ∗ [A]
} , (4.4)
and our main purpose is to show how to compute them for arbitrary link L.
Remark 4.3. In the DB cohomology approach, the functional integration (4.4) locally corre-
sponds to a sum over 1-form modulo forms with integer periods. So, the space of classical field
configurations which are factorized out by gauge invariance is in general larger than the standard
group of local gauge transformations. It should be noted that this enlarged gauge symmetry per-
fectly fits the assumption that the expectation values (4.4) form a complete set of observables.
In the DB cohomology interpretation of the functional integral for the quantum Chern–Simons
field theory, this enlargement of the “symmetry group” represents one of the main conceptual
improvements with respect to the standard formulation of gauge theories and, as we shall show,
allows for a description of the functional space structure in terms of the homology groups of the
manifold M3.
4.3 Properties of the functional measure
The sum over the DB classes
∫
D[A] corresponds to a gauge-fixed functional integral in ordinary
quantum field theory, where one has to sum over the gauge orbits in the space of connections. In
the path-integral, smooth fields configurations or finite-action configurations have zero measure
[34, 35]; so, the functional integral (4.4) has to be understood as the functional integral in
the appropriate extension or closure H1
D (M3,Z) of the space H1
D (M3,Z), with H̃1
D (M3,Z) ⊂
H1
D (M3,Z) and, more generaly, with Hom
(
H1
D (M,Z) , S1
)
⊂ H1
D (M3,Z). In order to guarantee
the consistency of the functional integral and its correspondence with ordinary gauge theories,
we assume that the quantum measure has the following two properties.
(M1) The space H1
D (M3,Z) inherits its structure from H1
D (M3,Z) in agreement with sequen-
ce (2.5).
Equation (2.5) then implies that the sum over DB classes is locally equivalent to a sum over
Ω1 (M3)/Ω1
Z (M3), i.e. a sum over 1-forms modulo generalized gauge transformations.
(M2) The functional measure is translational invariant.
This implies in particular that, for any [ω] ∈ H̃1
D (M3,Z), the quadratic measure
dµk ([A]) ≡ D [A] exp
{
2iπk
∫
M3
[A] ∗ [A]
}
(4.5)
satisfies the equation
dµk ([A] + [ω]) = dµk ([A]) exp
{
4iπk
∫
M3
[A] ∗ [ω] + 2iπk
∫
M3
[ω] ∗ [ω]
}
, (4.6)
which looks like a Cameron–Martin formula (see for instance [36] and references therein).
Equation (4.6) will be used extensively in our computations. The importance of generalized
Wiener measures in the functional integral – which necessarily imply the validity of the Cameron–
Martin property – and of the singular connections was also stressed in the articles [37] and [38]
in which, however, the space of the functional integral is supposed to coincide with the space of
the classes of smooth connections on a fixed U(1)-bundle over M3.
In the computation of the observables (4.4), we shall not use perturbation theory; only
properties (M1) and (M2) of the functional measure will be utilized. We shall now derive the
main properties of the observables of the Abelian Chern–Simons theory which are valid for any
3-manifold M3.
14 E. Guadagnini and F. Thuillier
4.4 Colour periodicity
The colour of each oriented knot or link component C ⊂ M3 is specified by the value of its
associated charge q ∈ Z. For fixed nonvanishing value of the coupling constant k, the expectation
values (4.4) are invariant under the substitution q → q + 2k, where q is the charge of a generic
link component. Consequently, one has
Proposition 4.1. For fixed integer k, the colour space is given by Z2k which coincides with the
space of residue classes of integers mod 2k.
Proof. Let {qj} be the charges which are associated with the components {Cj} (j = 1, 2, . . . , N)
of the link L. With the notation (4.5), the expectation value 〈W (L)〉k shown in equation (4.4)
can be written as
〈W (L)〉k =
∫
dµk([A]) exp
{
2iπ
∑
j qj
∫
M3
[A] ∗ [ηj ]
}
∫
dµk([A])
. (4.7)
Property (M2) implies that, with the substitution [A] → [A] + [η1], the numerator of expres-
sion (4.7) becomes
∫
dµk([A]) exp
2iπ
∑
j
qj
∫
M3
[A] ∗ [ηj ]
=
∫
dµk([A]) exp
2iπ
∑
j
q′j
∫
M3
[A] ∗ [ηj ]
× exp
{
2iπk
∫
M3
[η1] ∗ [η1]
}
exp
2iπ
∑
j
qj
∫
M3
[η1] ∗ [ηj ]
,
where q′j = qj + 2kδj1. In agreement with equation (3.13), for j 6= 1 one has [η1] ∗ [ηj ] ' [0] ∈
H̃3
D (M3,Z), and then
exp
{
2iπqj
∫
M3
[η1] ∗ [ηj ]
}
= 1.
Similarly, in agreement with equation (3.14), by means of the framing procedure one obtains
[η1] ∗ [η1] ' [0] ∈ H̃3
D (M3,Z), and then
exp
{
2iπ(q1 + k)
∫
M3
[η1] ∗ [η1]
}
= 1.
Consequently, the numerator of expression (4.7) can be written as
∫
dµk([A]) exp
2iπ
∑
j
qj
∫
M3
[A] ∗ [ηj ]
=
∫
dµk([A]) exp
2iπ
∑
j
q′j
∫
M3
[A] ∗ [ηj ]
,
which proves that, for fixed k, the expectation values (4.4) are invariant under the substitution
q1 → q1 + 2k, where q1 is the charge of the link component C1. �
Deligne–Beilinson Cohomology and Abelian Link Invariants 15
4.5 Ambient isotopy invariance
Two oriented framed coloured links L and L′ in M3 are ambient isotopic if L can be smoothly
connected with L′ in M3.
Proposition 4.2. The Chern–Simons expectation values (4.4) are invariants of ambient isotopy
for framed links.
Proof. Suppose that two oriented coloured framed links L and L′ are ambient isotopic in M3.
The link L has components {C1, C2, . . . , CN} with colours {q1, q2, . . . , qN}; whereas the link L′
has components {C ′1, C2, . . . , CN} with colours {q1, q2, . . . , qN}, so that
[ηL] = q1[η1] +
∑
j 6=1
qj [ηj ], [ηL′ ] = q1[η′1] +
∑
j 6=1
qj [ηj ], (4.8)
where the class [η1] refers to the knot C1 ⊂M3 and [η′1] is associated to the knot C ′1 ⊂M3.
Let τ : [0, 1] → C1(τ) ⊂M3 be the isotopy which connects C1 with C ′1 in M3, with C1(0) = C1
and C1(1) = C ′1. We shall denote by Σ ⊂ M3 the 2-dimensional surface which has support on
{C1(τ) ⊂ M3; 0 ≤ τ ≤ 1}; because of the freedom in the choice of τ within the same ambient
isotopy class, it is assumed that Σ is well defined and presents no singularities. Σ belongs
to the complement of the link components {C2, C3, . . . , CN} in M3 and one can introduce an
orientation on Σ in such a way that its oriented boundary is given by ∂Σ = C ′1 ∪ C
−1
1 , where
C−1
1 denotes the knot C1 with reversed orientation.
The distributional 1-form ηΣ, which is associated with Σ, is globally defined in M3 and
satisfies
dηΣ = dη′1 − dη1. (4.9)
where, with a small abuse of notation, dη1 and dη′1 denote the integration currents of C1 and C ′1
respectively. For j 6= 1 one finds∫
M3
ηΣ ∧ dηj = 0, (4.10)
because the link components {C2, C3, . . . , CN} do not intersect the surface Σ. Moreover, ac-
cording to the framing procedure, the orientation of Σ implies∫
M3
ηΣ ∧ (dη′1 + dη1) =
∫
C′
1f
ηΣ +
∫
C1f
ηΣ = 0, (4.11)
where C ′1f denotes the framing of C ′1 and C1f represents the framing of C1. Since ηΣ is globally
defined in M3, the 1-form xηΣ (with x = (q1/2k) ∈ R) is also globally defined. Let [xηΣ] ∈
H̃1
D (M3,Z) be the DB class which can be represented by the 1-form xηΣ; by construction, one
has
exp
{
4iπk
∫
M3
[A] ∗ [(q1/2k)ηΣ]
}
= exp
{
2iπq1
∫
M3
[A] ∗ [η′1]
}
exp
{
−2iπq1
∫
M3
[A] ∗ [η1]
}
. (4.12)
The expectation value 〈W (L)〉k is given by
〈W (L)〉k =
∫
dµk([A]) exp
{
2iπ
∫
M3
[A] ∗ [ηL]
}
∫
dµk([A])
. (4.13)
16 E. Guadagnini and F. Thuillier
Equation (4.12) and property (M2) imply that, with the substitution [A] → [A] + [xηΣ], the
numerator of expression (4.13) can be written as∫
dµk([A]) exp
{
2iπ
∫
M3
[A] ∗ [ηL′ ]
}
× exp
{
2iπk
∫
M3
[xηΣ] ∗ [xηΣ]
}
exp
{
2iπ
∫
M3
[xηΣ] ∗ [ηL]
}
.
By using the relations
exp
{
2iπk
∫
M3
[xηΣ] ∗ [xηΣ]
}
= exp
{
(iπq21/2k)
∫
M3
ηΣ ∧ (dη′1 − dη1)
}
,
exp
{
2iπ
∫
M3
[xηΣ] ∗ [ηL]
}
= exp
{
(iπq21/k)
∫
M3
ηΣ ∧ dη1
}
× exp
(iπq1/k)
∑
j 6=1
qj
∫
M3
ηΣ ∧ dηj
,
and equations (4.9)–(4.11), one finds that the numerator of expression (4.13) assumes the form∫
dµk([A]) exp
{
2iπ
∫
M3
[A] ∗ [ηL′ ]
}
.
Consequently, the expectation values of the Wilson line operators associated with the links L
and L′, entering equation (4.8), are equal. The same argument, applied to all the link compo-
nents, implies that, for any two ambient isotopic links L and L′, one has
〈W (L)〉k =
〈
W (L′)
〉
k
.
This concludes the proof. �
4.6 Satellite relations
For the oriented framed knot C ⊂M3, let the homeomorphism h : S1×D2 → VC be the framing
of C, where VC is a a tubular neighbourhood of C. Let us represent the disc D2 by the set
{z, with |z| ≤ 1} of the complex plane. The framing Cf of C is given by h(S1 × 1), whereas
one can always imagine that the knot C just corresponds to h(S1 × 0). Let P be a link in the
solid torus S1 × D2; if one replaces the knot C ⊂ M3 by h(P ) ⊂ M3 one obtains the satellite
of C which is defined by the pattern link P .
Definition 4.2. Let B ⊂ S1 × D2 be the oriented link with two components {B1, B2} given
by B1 = (S1 × 0) ⊂ S1 × D2 and B2 = (S1 × 1/2) ⊂ S1 × D2. For any oriented framed
knot C ⊂ M3, let us denote by C(2) ∈ M3 the satellite of C with is obtained by means of the
pattern link B. The two oriented components {K1,K2} of C(2) are given by K1 = h(B1) and
K2 = h(B2). Let us introduce a framing for the components of the link C(2); the knot K1 has
framing K1f = h(S1 × 1/4) and the knot K2 has framing K2f = h(S1 × 3/4).
By construction, the satellite C(2) of C is an oriented framed link.
Proposition 4.3. Let L and L̃ be two oriented coloured framed links in M3 in which L̃ is
obtained from L = {C1, . . . , CN} by substituting the component C1, which has colour q1 ∈ Z,
with its satellite C
(2)
1 whose components K1 and K2 have colours q̃1 = q1 ± 1 and q̃2 = ∓1
respectively. Then, the corresponding Chern–Simons expectation values satisfy
〈W (L)〉k = 〈W (L̃)〉k. (4.14)
Deligne–Beilinson Cohomology and Abelian Link Invariants 17
Proof. Because of the ambient isotopy invariance of 〈W (L̃)〉k, one can consider the limit in
which the component K1 approaches to K2 and coincides with K2. In this limit, for each field
configuration (i.e. for each DB class) the associated holonomies W (C1) and W (C(2)
1 ) coincides.
This means that, at the classical level, equality (4.14) is satisfied. Thus, we only need to
consider possible ambiguities in the expectation value of the composite Wilson line operator
W (C(2)
1 ) = W (K1)W (K2) in the K1 → K2 limit. In agreement with what we shall show in the
following sections, we now assume that all the ambiguities which refer to composite Wilson line
operators are eliminated by means of the framing procedure which is used to define the product
[η
L̃
] ∗ [η
L̃
]. According to the definition (4.3), one has
[ηL] = q1[η1] +
N∑
j=2
qj [ηj ] = q1[η1] + [ηL],
[η
L̃
] = q̃1[ηK1 ] + q̃2[ηK2 ] +
N∑
j=2
qj [ηj ] = q̃1[ηK1 ] + q̃2[ηK2 ] + [ηL],
and then
[ηL] ∗ [ηL] = q21[ηC1 ] ∗ [ηC1 ] + 2q1[ηC1 ] ∗ [ηL] + [ηL] ∗ [ηL],
[η
L̃
] ∗ [η
L̃
] = (q̃1[ηK1 ] + q̃2[ηK2 ]) ∗ (q̃1[ηK1 ] + q̃2[ηK2 ])
+ 2 (q̃1[ηK1 ] + q̃2[ηK2 ]) ∗ [ηL] + [ηL] ∗ [ηL].
As far as the computation of the Chern–Simons observables is concerned, ambient isotopy in-
variance and equality q1 = q̃1 + q̃2 imply
2q1[ηC1 ] ∗ [ηL] = 2 (q̃1[ηK1 ] + q̃2[ηK2 ]) ∗ [ηL],
moreover, by construction of the satellite C(2)
1 and the definition (3.14), one also finds
q21[ηC1 ] ∗ [ηC1 ] = (q̃1[ηK1 ] + q̃2[ηK2 ]) ∗ (q̃1[ηK1 ] + q̃2[ηK2 ]) .
Therefore, as far as the computation of the Chern–Simons observables is concerned, one can
replace [ηL] ∗ [ηL] by [η
L̃
] ∗ [η
L̃
], and then 〈W (L)〉k = 〈W (L̃)〉k. �
Definition 4.3. In agreement with Proposition 4.3, for any oriented coloured framed link L ⊂
M3, one can replace recursively all the link components which have colour given by q 6= ±1 by
their satellites constructed with the pattern link B, in such a way that the resulting link L ⊂M3
has the following property: each oriented framed component of L has colour which is specified
by a charge q = +1 or q = −1. Remember that, for each link component C, the sign of the
associated charge q is defined with respect to the orientation of C. So, with a suitable choice of
the orientation of the link components, all the link components of L have charges +1. For each
link L ⊂ M3, the corresponding link L ⊂ M3 will be called the simplicial satellite of L and, as
a consequence of Proposition 4.3, one has
〈W (L)〉k = 〈W (L)〉k. (4.15)
5 Abelian Chern–Simons theory on S3
When M3 = S3, the DB cohomology group satisfies H1
D
(
S3,Z
)
' Ω1
(
S3
)/
Ω1
Z
(
S3
)
and one
has Ω1
(
S3
)/
Ω1
Z
(
S3
)
= Ω1
(
S3
)/
dΩ0
(
S3
)
. Since in general the path-integral of the Chern–
Simons theory on M3 locally corresponds to a sum over the space of 1-forms modulo forms
18 E. Guadagnini and F. Thuillier
with integer periods, it is convenient to introduce a new notation; with respect to the origin of
Ω1
(
S3
)/
Ω1
Z
(
S3
)
that one can choose to correspond to the vanishing connection, an element of
Ω1
(
S3
)/
Ω1
Z
(
S3
)
will be denoted by [α]. So that, in agreement with property (M1), for any
oriented coloured and framed link L ⊂ S3 the expectation value (4.4) can be written as
〈W (L)〉k =
∫
D [α] exp
{
2iπk
∫
S3 [α] ∗ [α]
}
exp
{
2iπ
∫
S3 [α] ∗ [ηL]
}∫
D [α] exp
{
2iπk
∫
S3 [α] ∗ [α]
}
=
∫
dµk([α]) exp
{
2iπ
∫
S3 [α] ∗ [ηL]
}∫
dµk([α])
, (5.1)
where [α] ∈ Ω1
(
S3
)
/Ω1
Z
(
S3
)
and [ηL] ∈ H̃1
D (M3,Z) denotes the class which is canonically
associated with L. The integral (5.1) actually extends to H1
D
(
S3,Z
)
which has to be understood
as a suitable extension of Ω1
(
S3
)
/Ω1
Z
(
S3
)
. We shall now compute the observable 〈W (L)〉k for
arbitrary link L.
Theorem 5.1. Let the oriented coloured and framed link components {Cj} of the link L, with
j = 1, 2, . . . , N , have charges {qj} and framings {Cjf}. Then
〈W (L)〉k = exp
−(2iπ/4k)
∑
ij
qiLijqj
, (5.2)
where the linking matrix Lij is defined by
Lij =
∫
S3
ηi ∧ dηj = `k(Ci, Cj), for i 6= j,
Ljj =
∫
S3
ηj ∧ dηj = `k(Cj , Cjf ).
Proof. Since H2
(
S3,Z
)
= 0, Poincaré duality implies that any 1-cycle on S3 is homologically
trivial. Equivalently, for each knot Cj one can find an oriented Seifert surface Σj ⊂ S3 such that
∂Σj = Cj (in fact, there is an infinite number of topologically inequivalent Seifert surfaces) and
one can then define a distributional 1-form ηj (with support on Σj) which is globally defined
in S3. The distributional 1-form ηL associated with the link L,
ηL =
∑
j
qjηj ,
is globally defined in S3 and, in the Chech–de Rham description of DB cocycles, the class [ηL]
can be represented by the sequence (ηL, 0, 0). The distributional 1-form
ηL/2k =
∑
j
(qj/2k)ηj
is also globally defined in S3 and we shall denote by [ηL/2k] ∈ H̃1
D (M3,Z) the DB class which, in
the Chech–de Rham description of DB cocycles, is represented by the sequence (ηL/2k, 0, 0). It
should be noted that the class [ηL/2k] does not depend on the particular choice of the 1-form ηL
which represents [ηL]. (In turn, this implies that [ηL/2k] does not depend on the particular
choice of the Seifert surfaces.) In fact, any representative 1-form of [ηL] can be written as
ηL + dχ for some χ ∈ Ω0(S3); therefore, for the corresponding class [(ηL + dχ)/2k] one finds
[(ηL + dχ)/2k] = [ηL/2k + dχ/2k] = [ηL/2k] + [d(χ/2k)] = [ηL/2k].
Deligne–Beilinson Cohomology and Abelian Link Invariants 19
By construction, the class [ηL/2k] satisfies the relation
2k[ηL/2k] = [ηL],
therefore
exp
{
4iπk
∫
S3
[α] ∗ [ηL/2k]
}
= exp
{
2iπ
∫
S3
[α] ∗ [ηL]
}
. (5.3)
In agreement with property (M2), by means of the substitution [α] → [α]−[ηL/2k] the numerator
of expression (5.1) assumes the form∫
dµk([α]) exp
{
−4iπk
∫
S3
[α] ∗ [ηL/2k]
}
exp
{
2iπk
∫
S3
[ηL/2k] ∗ [ηL/2k]
}
× exp
{
2iπk
∫
S3
[α] ∗ [ηL]
}
exp
{
−2iπ
∫
S3
[ηL/2k] ∗ [ηL]
}
. (5.4)
With the help of equation (5.3), expression (5.4) becomes
exp
{
−(2iπ/4k)
∫
S3
ηL ∧ dηL
} ∫
dµk([α]),
and then
〈W (L)〉k = exp
{
−(2iπ/4k)
∫
S3
ηL ∧ dηL
} ∫
dµk([α])∫
dµk([α])
.
Assuming that, for the manifold S3, one has∫
dµk([α]) 6= 0,
one finally obtains
〈W (L)〉k = exp
{
−(2iπ/4k)
∫
S3
ηL ∧ dηL
}
= exp
−(2iπ/4k)
∑
ij
qiqj
∫
S3
ηi ∧ dηj
, (5.5)
which coincides with expression(5.2); and this concludes the proof. �
Remark 5.1. Expression (5.2) describes an invariant of ambient isotopy (Proposition 4.2) for
oriented coloured framed links. Since the matrix elements Lij are integers, in agreement with
Proposition 4.1 the observable (5.2) is invariant under the substitution qi → qi +2k (for fixed i).
Moreover, one can verify that Proposition 4.3 is indeed satisfied by expression (5.2).
Remark 5.2. The topological properties of knots and links in S3 and in R3 are equal. Therefore,
expression (5.2) also describes the Wilson line expectation values for the quantum Chern–Simons
theory in R3 and, in fact, equation (5.2) is in agreement with the results which can be obtained
by means of standard perturbation theory [33].
20 E. Guadagnini and F. Thuillier
Figure 3. The region of R3 which is delimited by two spheres S2, one into the other, with their face-to-
face points identified, provides a description of S1 ×S2. The oriented fundamental loop G0 ⊂ S1 ×S2 is
also represented.
Figure 4. The trivial knot surrounding the non trivial knot G0 is moved down (via an ambient isotopy).
The intersection number of its associated surface – given by a disc – with G0 goes from unity to 0.
6 Abelian Chern–Simons theory on S1 × S2
One can represent S1 × S2 by the region of R3 which is delimited by two concentric 2-spheres
(of different radii), with the convention that the points on the two surfaces with the same
angular coordinates are identified. The nontrivial knot G0, which can be taken as generator of
H1(S1 × S2,Z) ' Z, is shown in Fig. 3.
Let us recall that, since H2(S1 × S2,Z) is not trivial, the linking number of two knots may
not be well defined in S1 × S2; one example is shown in Fig. 4.
Differently from S3, the manifold S1 × S2 has nontrivial cohomology and homology groups.
While H3
D
(
S1 × S2,Z
)
is still canonically isomorphic to Ω3
(
S1 × S2
)
/Ω3
Z
(
S1 × S2
)
, the group
H1
D
(
S1 × S2,Z
)
has the structure of a non trivial affine bundle over the second integral coho-
mology group H2
(
S1 × S2,Z
)
' Z. As shown in Fig. 1, one can then represent H1
D
(
S1 × S2,Z
)
by means of a collection of fibres over the base space Z, each fibre has a linear space structure
and is isomorphic to Ω1
(
S1 × S2
)
/Ω1
Z
(
S1 × S2
)
. For the fiber over 0 ∈ Z one can choose the
trivial vanishing connection as canonical origin, so that this fibre can actually be identified with
Ω1
(
S1 × S2
)
/Ω1
Z
(
S1 × S2
)
. The fiber over n ∈ Z, with n 6= 0, has not a canonical origin, but
one can fix an origin and each element of this fibre will be written as a sum of this origin with
an element of Ω1
(
S1 × S2
)
/Ω1
Z
(
S1 × S2
)
.
6.1 Structure of the functional measure
The choice of an origin on each fibre of the affine bundle H1
D
(
S1 × S2,Z
)
defines of a section s
of H1
D
(
S1 × S2,Z
)
over the discrete base space Z ∼= H2
(
S1 × S2,Z
)
, with the convention that
s (0) = [0] ∈ H1
D
(
S1 × S2,Z
)
. In agreement with property (M1), the quantum measure space
H1
D(S1 × S2,Z) can also be understood as an affine bundle over Z, and the section s will be
used to make the structure of the functional integral explicit. Therefore, one can actually admit
distributional values for s and, in fact, it is convenient to define the section s with values in
H̃1
D
(
S1 × S2,Z
)
.
Definition 6.1. The simplest choice for s is suggested by the additive structure of the base space.
More precisely, let us pick up a nontrivial 1-cycle (or oriented knot) G0 which is directed along
Deligne–Beilinson Cohomology and Abelian Link Invariants 21
the S1 component of S1×S2 and is a generator of H1(S1×S2,Z) ' Z. If [γ0] ∈ H̃1
D
(
S1 × S2,Z
)
denotes the DB class which is canonically associated with G0, we shall consider the section
s : Z → H̃1
D
(
S1 × S2,Z
)
,
n 7→ s (n) ≡ n [γ0] . (6.1)
Each element [A] of H̃1
D
(
S1 × S2,Z
)
(and of H1
D(S1 × S2,Z)) can then be written as
[A] = n [γ0] + [α] ,
for some integer n and [α] ∈ Ω1
(
S1 × S2
)
/Ω1
Z
(
S1 × S2
)
; and the functional measure takes the
form
dµk([A]) =
+∞∑
n=−∞
D[α] exp
{
2iπk
∫
S1×S2
(n[γ0] + [α]) ∗ (n[γ0] + [α])
}
. (6.2)
Remark 6.1. Because of the translational invariance of the quantum measure, the particular
choice (6.1) of the section s will play no role in the computation of the observables. In fact,
a modification of the origin of each fiber of H1
D(S1 × S2,Z) can be achieved by means of an
element of Ω1
(
S1 × S2
)
/Ω1
Z
(
S1 × S2
)
.
Expression (6.2) can be written as
dµk([A]) =
+∞∑
n=−∞
D[α] exp
{
2iπk
∫
S1×S2
[α] ∗ [α]
}
exp
{
4iπkn
∫
S1×S2
[α] ∗ [γ0]
}
× exp
{
2iπkn2
∫
S1×S2
[γ0] ∗ [γ0]
}
. (6.3)
As usual, in order to define [γ0]∗ [γ0] ∈ H̃3
D
(
S1 × S2,Z
)
we shall introduce a framing G0f for the
knot G0 and, in agreement with equations (3.13) and (3.14), we define [γ0] ∗ [γ0] ≡ [γ0] ∗ [γ0f ] =
[0] ∈ H̃3
D(S1×S2,Z). Therefore, with integers k and n, the last factor entering expression (6.3)
is well defined and it is equal to the identity. So, one obtains
dµk([A]) =
+∞∑
n=−∞
D[α] exp
{
2iπk
∫
S1×S2
[α] ∗ [α]
}
exp
{
4iπkn
∫
S1×S2
[α] ∗ [γ0]
}
, (6.4)
with [α] ∈ Ω1
(
S1 × S2
)
/Ω1
Z
(
S1 × S2
)
.
6.2 Zero mode
Definition 6.2. Let S0 be a oriented 2-dimensional sphere which is embedded in S1 × S2 in
such a way that it can represent a generator of H2(S1 × S2,Z).
S0 is isotopic with the component S2 of S1 × S2 and, if one represents S1 × S2 by the
region of R3 which is delimited by two concentric spheres, S0 can just be represented by a third
concentric sphere. We shall denote by β0 the distributional 1-form which is globally defined in
S1 × S2 and has support on S0; the overall sign of β0 is fixed by the orientation of S0 so that∫
G0
β0 = 1. (6.5)
Since the boundary of the closed surface S0 is trivial, one has dβ0 = 0. For any given real
parameter x, the 1-form xβ0 is also globally defined in S1 × S2; let us denote by [xβ0] ∈
Ω1
(
S1 × S2
)
/Ω1
Z
(
S1 × S2
)
the class which is represented by the form xβ0.
22 E. Guadagnini and F. Thuillier
Proposition 6.1. For each value m of the integer residues mod2k, the Chern–Simons mea-
sure (6.4) on S1 × S2, with nontrivial coupling constant k, satisfies the relation
dµk([A]) = dµk([A] + [(m/2k)β0]). (6.6)
Proof. From expression (6.4) one finds
dµk([A] + [(m/2k)β0])
=
+∞∑
n=−∞
D[α] exp
{
2iπk
∫
S1×S2
[α] ∗ [α]
}
exp
{
4iπkn
∫
S1×S2
[α] ∗ [γ0]
}
× exp
{
4iπk
∫
S1×S2
[α] ∗ [(m/2k)β0]
}
exp
{
2iπk
∫
S1×S2
[(m/2k)β0] ∗ [(m/2k)β0]
}
× exp
{
4iπkn
∫
S1×S2
[(m/2k)γ0] ∗ [η0]
}
, (6.7)
where the integer m takes the values m = 0, 1, 2, . . . , 2k−1. From the equality dβ0 = 0 it follows
that
4iπk
∫
S1×S2
[α] ∗ [(m/2k)β0] = 2iπm
∫
S1×S2
α ∧ dβ0 = 0,
where α ∈ Ω1
(
S1 × S2
)
represents the class [α],
2iπk
∫
S1×S2
[(m/2k)β0] ∗ [(m/2k)β0] = iπ(m2/2k)
∫
S1×S2
β0 ∧ dβ0 = 0.
Finally, relation (6.5) implies
exp
{
4iπkn
∫
S1×S2
[(m/2k)β0] ∗ [γ0]
}
= exp
{
2iπnm
∫
G0
β0
}
= 1.
Therefore expressions (6.7) and (6.4) are equal. �
6.3 Values of the observables
Let us consider an oriented coloured and framed link L in S1 × S2; without loss of generality,
one can always assume that L does not intersect the knot G0. In agreement with equation (6.5),
the integral
N0(L) =
∫
L
β0
takes integer values; more precisely, N0(L) is equal to the sum of the intersection numbers
(weighted with the charges of the link components) of the link L with the surface S0.
Theorem 6.1. Given a link L ⊂ S1 × S2,
• when N0(L) 6≡ 0 mod 2k, one finds 〈W (L)〉k = 0;
• whereas for N0(L) ≡ 0 mod 2k, one has
〈W (L)〉k = exp
{
−(2iπ/4k)
∫
S1×S2
ηL ∧ dηL
}
, (6.8)
where ηL ∧ dηL is defined by means of the framing procedure.
Deligne–Beilinson Cohomology and Abelian Link Invariants 23
Proof. The expectation value of the Wilson line operator is given by
〈W (L)〉k = Z−1
k
∫
dµk([A]) exp
{
2iπ
∫
S1×S2
[A] ∗ [ηL]
}
, (6.9)
where dµk([A]) is shown in equation (6.4) and
Zk =
∫
dµk([A]).
Equation (6.6) implies that W (L) satisfies the following relation
〈W (L)〉k = Z−1
k
1
2k
2k−1∑
m=0
∫
dµk([A] + [(m/2k)β0])e2iπ
∫
S1×S2 ([A]+[(m/2k)β0])∗[ηL]
= Z−1
k
∫
dµk([A])e2iπ
∫
S1×S2 [A]∗[ηL] 1
2k
2k−1∑
m=0
e2iπ
∫
S1×S2 [(m/2k)β0]∗[ηL]
= 〈W (L)〉k
1
2k
2k−1∑
m=0
exp
{
2iπ(m/2k)
∫
L
β0
}
. (6.10)
One has
1
2k
2k−1∑
m=1
exp {2iπN0 (L)m/2k} =
{
1 if N0 (L) ≡ 0 mod 2k,
0 otherwise.
Therefore equation (6.10) shows that, when N0(L) 6≡ 0 mod 2k, the expectation value 〈W (L)〉k
is vanishing.
Let us now consider the case in which N0(L) ≡ 0 mod 2k. Because of Proposition 4.1, we
only need to discuss the case N0(L) = 0. In fact, if N0(L) = 2kp for some integer p 6= 0, at
least one of the link components C ⊂ L intersects S0; one can then modify the value qC of its
charge according to qC → qC − 2kp so that N0(L) vanishes. According to the decomposition
[A] = n[γ0] + [α], one finds
exp
{
2iπ
∫
S1×S2
[A] ∗ [ηL]
}
= exp
{
2iπn
∫
S1×S2
[γ0] ∗ [ηL]
}
exp
{
2iπ
∫
S1×S2
[α] ∗ [ηL]
}
= exp
{
2iπ
∫
S1×S2
[α] ∗ [ηL]
}
,
where the last equality is a consequence of the identity [γ0]∗ [ηL] = [0] ∈ H̃3
D
(
S1 × S2,Z
)
, which
follows from the framing procedure. Then, from equation (6.9) one gets
〈W (L)〉k = Z−1
k
∫ +∞∑
n=−∞
D[α]e2iπk
∫
S1×S2 [α]∗[α]e4iπkn
∫
S1×S2 [α]∗[γ0]e2iπ
∫
S1×S2 [α]∗[ηL]. (6.11)
When N0(L) = 0, the link L is homological trivial and one can find a Seifert surface for L.
More precisely, in agreement with Proposition 4.3 and equation (4.15), one can substitute L
with its simplicial satellite L, defined in Section 4, whose components have unitary charges.
The oriented framed link L ⊂ S1 × S2 also is homologically trivial and it is the boundary of an
oriented surface that we shall denote by ΣL ⊂ S1×S2. Let ηL be the distributional 1-form with
support on ΣL which is globally defined in S1 × S2; because of Proposition 4.3, in the Chech–
de Rham description of the DB classes, [ηL] can then be represented by the sequence (ηL, 0, 0).
24 E. Guadagnini and F. Thuillier
Figure 5. An example of conservation of the intersection number under ambient isotopy for a globally
trivial 1-cycle.
The 1-form (1/2k)ηL also is globally defined in S1 × S2 and we shall denote by [(1/2k)ηL] the
DB class which is represented by the form (1/2k)ηL. By construction,
exp
{
−4iπk
∫
S1×S2
[α] ∗ [(1/2k)ηL]
}
= exp
{
−2iπ
∫
S1×S2
[α] ∗ [ηL]
}
, (6.12)
and the condition N0(L) = 0 (or N0(L) ≡ 0 mod 2k) implies that, for integer n,
exp
{
−4iπkn
∫
S1×S2
[(1/2k)ηL] ∗ [γ0]
}
= 1. (6.13)
By means of the substitution [α] → [α] − [(1/2k)ηL] and with the help of equations (6.12)
and (6.13), expression (6.11) assumes the form
〈W (L)〉k = exp
{
−(2iπ/4k)
∫
S1×S2
ηL ∧ dηL
}
Z−1
k Zk.
Therefore, assuming Zk 6= 0, when N0(L) ≡ 0 mod 2k one gets
〈W (L)〉k = exp
{
−(2iπ/4k)
∫
S1×S2
ηL ∧ dηL
}
,
and this concludes the proof. �
Remark 6.2. Expression (6.8) formally coincides with the result (5.5) which has been obtained
in the case M3 ∼ S3. It should be noted that the integral (which appears in equation (6.8))∫
S1×S2
ηL ∧ dηL ≡
∫
S1×S2
ηL ∧ dηLf
=
∫
Lf
βL, (6.14)
where Lf denotes the framing of L, is well defined because it does not depend on the choice
of the Seifert surface of L. Indeed suppose that, instead of ΣL, we take Σ′
L
as Seifert surface
for the link L. The difference between the intersection number (6.14) of Lf with Σ′
L
and ΣL is
given by the intersection number of Lf with the closed surface Σ′
L
∪Σ−1
L
. This surface could be
nontrivial in S1 × S2 but, since L is homologically trivial, Lf also is homologically trivial and
then its intersection number with a closed surface vanishes. The example of Fig. 5 illustrates
the ambient isotopy invariance of the intersection number of a homologically trivial link with
the Seifert surface of a trivial knot in S1 × S2.
Deligne–Beilinson Cohomology and Abelian Link Invariants 25
7 Abelian Chern–Simons theory on S1 × Σg
Let us now consider the manifold M3 ∼ S1 × Σg where Σg is a closed Riemann surface of
genus g ≥ 1. In this case, the computation of the Chern–Simons observables is rather similar
to the computation when M3 ∼ S1 × S2. So, we shall briefly illustrate the main steps of the
construction.
As it has been mentioned in Section 1, H1
D(S1 × Σg,Z) has the structure of a affine bundle
over H2(S1×Σg,Z) ∼ Z2g+1 with Ω1(S1×Σg)/Ω1
Z(S1×Σg) acting canonically on each fibre by
translation. In agreement with property (M1), the functional space H1
D(S1×Σg,Z) is assumed
to have the same structure of H1
D(S1×Σg,Z) and, in order to fix a origin in each fibre, we need
to introduce a section s : Z2g+1 → H1
D(S1 × Σg,Z).
Definition 7.1. Let the nonintersecting oriented framed knots {G0, G1, . . . , G2g} in S1 × Σg
represent the generators of H1
(
S1 × Σg,Z
)
. For each j = 0, 1, . . . , 2g, we shall denote by
[γj ] ∈ H̃1
D(S1 × Σg,Z) the DB class which is canonically associated with the knot Gj .
Definition 7.2. If the elements of Z2g+1 are represented by vectors
~n ≡ (n0, n1, n2, . . . , n2g) ∈ Z2g+1,
a possible choice for the section s is given by
s : Z2g+1 → H̃1
D
(
S1 × Σg,Z
)
,
~n 7→ s (~n) = [nγ] ≡ ~n · [~γ] =
2g∑
j=0
nj [γj ].
Each class [A] ∈ H̃1
D(S1 × Σg,Z) can then be written as
[A] = [nγ] + [α],
for certain ~n and [α] ∈ Ω1(S1 × Σg)/Ω1
Z(S1 × Σg). Consequently, the Chern–Simons functional
measure takes the form
dµk([A]) =
∑
~n
D[α] exp
{
2iπk
∫
S1×S2
[α] ∗ [α]
}
exp
{
4iπk
∫
S1×S2
[α] ∗ [nγ]
}
, (7.1)
which is the analogue of equation (6.4). The condition [nγ] ∗ [nγ] = 0 ∈ H̃3
D(S1 ×Σg,Z), which
results from the framing procedure, has already been used to simplify the expression of dµk([A]).
Definition 7.3. Let the oriented closed surfaces Sj ⊂ S1 × Σg, with j = 0, 1, . . . , 2g, represent
the generators of H2(S1 × Σg,Z) ∼ Z2g+1. We shall denote by βj ∈ H̃1
D
(
S1 × Σg,Z
)
the
distributional 1-form which is globally defined in S1 × Σg and has support on Sj . One can
choose the generators of H2(S1×Σg,Z) in such a way that the following orthogonality relations
are satisfied∫
Gi
βj = δij , i, j = 0, 1, . . . , 2g.
Since Sj are closed surfaces, one has dβj = 0. For any real parameter x, the 1-form xβj also
is globally defined in S1 × Σg and the corresponding class, which can be represented by xβj ,
will be denoted by [xβj ] ∈ Ω1(S1 ×Σg)/Ω1
Z(S1 ×Σg). The arguments that have been presented
to prove Proposition 6.1 can also be used to prove the following
26 E. Guadagnini and F. Thuillier
Proposition 7.1. The quantum measure (7.1) of the Chern–Simons theory on S1 × Σg, with
nontrivial coupling constant k, satisfies the relation
dµk([A]) = dµk([A] + [(m/2k)βj ]).
for m = 0, 1, 2, . . . , 2k − 1 and for each value of j = 0, 1, . . . , 2g.
Finally, the expectation values of the Wilson line operators are determined by the following
Theorem 7.1. Let L be a oriented coloured framed link in S1 × Σg. For each j = 0, 1, . . . , 2g,
let us introduce the integer
Nj(L) =
∫
L
βj .
Then
• when Nj(L) 6≡ 0 mod 2k for at least one value of j = 0, 1, . . . , 2g, one has 〈W (L)〉k = 0 ;
• whereas when Nj(L) ≡ 0 mod 2k for all values of j = 0, 1, . . . , 2g, one finds
〈W (L)〉k = exp
{
−(2iπ/4k)
∫
S1×Σg
ηL ∧ dηL
}
, (7.2)
where ηL ∧ dηL is defined by means of the framing procedure.
Proof. The proof is similar to the proof of Theorem 6.1. In fact, when Nj(L) 6≡ 0 mod 2k for
at least one value of j = 0, 1, . . . , 2g, Proposition 7.1 implies that the Chern–Simons expectation
value 〈W (L)〉k vanishes. On the other hand, when Nj(L) ≡ 0 mod 2k for all values of j =
0, 1, . . . , 2g, the substitution [α] → [α]− [(1/2k)ηL] in the functional measure (7.1) leads to the
equation (7.2). It should be noted that expression (7.2) is well defined because the link L and
then its framing Lf are homologically trivial. �
8 Surgery rules
For the quantum Abelian Chern–Simons theory on the manifolds S1 × S2 and S1 × Σg (and,
in general, in any nontrivial 3-manifold), the standard gauge theory approach which is based
on the gauge group U(1) is in principle well defined but presents some technical difficulties,
which are related, for instance, to the implementation of the gauge fixing procedure and the
determination of the Feynman propagator. As a matter of facts, by means of the usual methods
of quantum gauge theories, the computation of the Chern–Simons observables in a nontrivial
3-manifold has never been explicitly produced.
In order to determine the Wilson line expectation values in M3 6∼ S3, one can use for instance
the surgery rules of the Reshetikhin–Turaev type [6] as developed by Lickorish [39] and by Morton
and Strickland [40]. In this section, we outline the surgery method which turns out to produce
the Chern–Simons observables for the manifolds S1 × S2 and S1 × Σg in complete agreement
with the results obtained in the DB approach of the path-integral.
Every closed orientable connected 3-manifold M3 can be obtained by Dehn surgery on S3
and admits a surgery presentation [29] which is described by a framed surgery link L ⊂ S3 with
integer surgery coefficients. Each surgery coefficient specifies the framing of the corresponding
component of L because it coincides with the linking number of this component with its framing.
The manifold S1×S2 admits a presentation with surgery link given by the unknot with vanishing
surgery coefficient, whereas S1×S1×S1 for example corresponds to the Borromean rings with
vanishing surgery coefficients. Any oriented coloured framed link L ⊂ M3 can be described by
a link L′ = L ∪ L in S3 in which:
Deligne–Beilinson Cohomology and Abelian Link Invariants 27
• the surgery link L describes the surgery instructions corresponding to a presentation of
M3 in terms of Dehn surgery on S3;
• the remaining components of L′ describe how L is placed in M3.
Assuming that the expectation values of the Wilson line operators form a complete set of
observables, one can find [33] consistent surgery rules, according to which the expectation value
of the Wilson line operator W (L) in M3 can be written as a ratio
〈W (L)〉k|M3 = 〈W (L)W (L)〉k|S3 / 〈W (L)〉k|S3 , (8.1)
where to each component of the surgery link is associated a particular colour state ψ0. Remember
that, for fixed integer k, the colour space coincides with space of residue classes of integers
mod 2k, which has a canonical ring structure; let χj denote the residue class associated with
the integer j. Then, the colour state ψ0 is given by
ψ0 =
2k−1∑
j=0
χj .
One can verify that the surgery rule (8.1) is well defined and consistent; in fact, expression (8.1)
is invariant under Kirby moves [41]. Finally, one can check that, according to the surgery
formula (8.1), the expectation values of the Wilson line operators in S1×S2 and in S1×Σg are
given precisely by the expressions of Theorems 6.1 and 7.1, which have been obtained by means
of the DB cohomology.
9 Conclusions
In the standard field theory formulation of Abelian gauge theories, the (classical fields) configu-
ration space is taken to be the set of 1-forms modulo closed forms. But when the observables
of the theory are given by the exponential of the holonomies which are associated with oriented
loops, the classical configuration space is actually given by the set of 1-forms modulo forms
of integer periods; that is, the classical configuration space indeed coincides with space of the
Deligne–Beilinson cohomology classes. So, in this article we have considered the Abelian Chern–
Simons gauge theory, in which a complete set of observables is given by the set of exponentials
of the holonomies which are associated with oriented knots or links in a 3-manifold M3. We
have explored the main properties of the quantum theory and of the corresponding quantum
functional integral, which enters the computation of the observables, when the path-integral is
really defined over the Deligne–Beilinson classes. Within this new approach, we have produced
an explicit path-integral computation of the Chern–Simons link invariants in a class of torsion-
free 3-manifolds. In facts, we have not used any standard gauge-fixing and perturbative method,
as it has been done so far in literature. Our results are based on an explicit non-perturbative
path-integral computation and are exact results.
Let us briefly summarize the main issues of our article. In Sections 2 and 3 we have discussed
a few technical points which are important for the computation of the observables. The basic
definitions and properties of the DB cohomology together with a distributional extension of the
space of the equivalence classes have been illustrated. Then we have shown how the framing pro-
cedure, which is used to give a topological meaning to the self-linking number, can be naturally
defined also in the DB context. The general features of the Abelian Chern–Simons theory in a
generic 3-manifold M3 have been derived in Section 4. The main achievements concerning the
observables are the “colour periodicity” property (Proposition 4.1), the “ambient isotopy inva-
riance” (Proposition 4.2) and the validity of appropriate “satellite relations” (Proposition 4.3).
28 E. Guadagnini and F. Thuillier
With respect to the standard field theory approach, our proofs extend the validity of these
properties from R3 to a generic (closed and oriented) manifold M3.
The Abelian Chern–Simons theory formulated in S3 is discussed in Section 5 and its solution
is given by Theorem 5.1; in this case, the outcome is in agreement with the results obtained
by means of standard perturbation theory in R3. The expressions of the observables for the
Chern–Simons theory formulated in S1 × S2 and in a generic 3-manifold of the type S1 × Σg
are contained in Theorems 6.1 and 7.1; in the standard field theory approach, no proof of these
theorems actually exists.
Finally, we have checked the validity our path-integral results by means of an alternative
“combinatorial method”. Indeed, the link invariants defined in the Chern–Simons theory are
related to the link invariants defined by means of the quantum group methods of Reshetikhin and
Turaev. Given a surgery presentation in S3 of a generic 3-manifold M3 and knowing the values
of the link invariants in S3, one can use the surgery method of Lickorish and Morton–Strickland
to determine the values of the link invariants in M3. As far as the Abelian Chern–Simons is
concerned, we have presented the basic aspects of this surgery method in Section 8. We have
verified that the expression of the link invariants for the manifolds S1 × S2 and S1 ×Σg, which
are described by Theorems 6.1 and 7.1, precisely coincide with the results obtained by means of
the surgery method.
Clearly, in the case of a generic 3-manifold, the general features of the Deligne–Beilinson
approach to the Abelian Chern–Simons functional integral remain to be fully explored. Possible
applications of this formalism to the non-Abelian Chern–Simons theory would also give new
hints on the topological meaning of the polynomial link invariants. Finally, we mention that
extensions of Deligne–Beilinson cohomology approach to the topological field theories in lower
dimensions can easily be produced, but the resulting structure of the observables appears to be
quite elementary. Presumably, applications in higher dimensions will produce more interesting
invariants.
Acknowledgements
We wish to thank Raymond Stora for useful discussions.
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http://arxiv.org/abs/gr-qc/9311010
http://arxiv.org/abs/hep-th/9301063
1 Introduction
2 Deligne-Beilinson cohomology
2.1 General properties
2.2 Holonomy and pairing
2.3 The product
2.4 Distributional forms and Seifert surfaces
3 Linking and self-linking
3.1 Linking number
3.2 Framing
4 Abelian Chern-Simons field theory
4.1 Action functional
4.2 Observables
4.3 Properties of the functional measure
4.4 Colour periodicity
4.5 Ambient isotopy invariance
4.6 Satellite relations
5 Abelian Chern-Simons theory on S^3
6 Abelian Chern-Simons theory on S^1 \times S^2
6.1 Structure of the functional measure
6.2 Zero mode
6.3 Values of the observables
7 Abelian Chern-Simons theory on S^1 \times \Sigma_g
8 Surgery rules
9 Conclusions
References
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