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5 votes
1 answer
378 views

Why is this Brieskorn manifold a rational homology sphere?

In Némethi's book "Normal surface singularities", Example 5.1.17, there is a formula to find the Seifert invariants of a Brieskorn complete intersection $\Sigma(a_1,...,a_n)$. I am ...
5 votes
1 answer
430 views

Linking number and intersection number

Consider a disjoint union of two circles $A$ and $B$ smoothly embedded in $\mathbb{R}^3$ with linking number more than $1$. Suppose we know that there exists a disc $D$ in $\mathbb{R}^3$ such that $\...
1 vote
1 answer
256 views

Reference request and prerequisites for understanding the Sphere Theorem and the Loop Theorem in 3-manifold theory

As part of my directed studies project, my advisor has suggested that I completely understand the proof of the Sphere Theorem and the Loop Theorem in 3-manifold theory and explain it to him. I have ...
4 votes
0 answers
191 views

Every closed surface divides a closed 3-manifold $X$ into two parts if and only if $H_1(X)$ is finite

My friend is looking for proof of the following statement Every closed surface divides a closed 3-manifold $X$ into two parts if and only if $H_1(X; \mathbb{Z})$ is finite. Rumor source: Justin ...
3 votes
1 answer
235 views

Example of a non $\pi_1$-injective, degree one, self-map of a three-manifold

All manifolds will be assumed to be closed, oriented, and connected. Let $f\colon M\to M$ be a map of degree $\pm 1$. It is not hard to show that $\pi_1(f)$ is surjective. What is an example of a non ...
8 votes
1 answer
281 views

Non-compact three-manifolds with the same proper homotopy type are homeomorphic?

I am looking for some literature with some (counter) examples of the following fact (though I don't know if the fact is true or not): Let $M, M'$ be two non-compact connected $3$-manifolds with the ...
6 votes
2 answers
395 views

Dual surfaces of a first cohomology class of a 3-manifold

Let $M$ be closed 3-manifold and $\alpha\in H^1(M;\mathbb Z_2)$ an arbitrary element. (In my case we know that $M$ is non-orientable and $\alpha^3=0$.) It is well known that there is a closed 2-...
19 votes
6 answers
3k views

Diffeomorphism of 3-manifolds

Surgery theory aims to measure the difference between simple homotopy types and diffeomorphism types. In 3 dimensions, geometrization achieves something much more nuanced than that. Still, I wonder ...
6 votes
1 answer
324 views

Computation of $\pi_1$ for a Mazur manifold and its boundary

If we attach a $4$-dimensional $1$-handle $D^1 \times D^3$ to a $4$-dimensional $0$-handle $B^4$, we obtain $S^1 \times D^3$. The null homologous knot in $S^1 \times S^2$ indicated in the picture ...
14 votes
3 answers
1k views

Quotient of solid torus by swapping coordinates on boundary

Let $T$ be the solid 2-torus and let $\sim$ be the equivalence relation on $T$ generated by the relation $\{(\alpha,\beta) \sim (\beta,\alpha) \mid \alpha, \beta \in S^1\}$ on the boundary $\partial T=...
8 votes
2 answers
283 views

Is there a simple formula to compute the Casson invariant of an homology $3$-sphere from its Heegaard diagram?

Let $(S_g,\boldsymbol{\alpha}_1,\boldsymbol{\alpha}_2)$ be a Heegaard diagram of a Heegaard splitting $\Sigma=H_g \cup_{\phi_1\phi_2^{-1}}H_g$ of an integral homology sphere $\Sigma$, i.e. $S_g$ is a ...
9 votes
3 answers
735 views

Judging whether a finitely presented group is a 3-manifold group?

Given a finitely presented group $G$, how many necessary conditions do people know for $G$ to be isomorphic to the fundamental group of some closed connected 3-manifold? (e.g. residually finite)
1 vote
0 answers
129 views

Open cone homeomorphic to the Euclidean space

Let $X$ be a topological space and the open cone $C(X)$ over $X$ is defined to be $X \times [0,1)$ with $X \times \{0\}$ identified. Suppose $C(X)$ is homeomorphic to $\mathbb R^4$, can we prove that $...
5 votes
1 answer
244 views

Functoriality of Thurston's norm

Let $M$ be a manifold of dimension $3$ and let $N$ be an embedded submanifold of $M$ (also of dimension $3$). Then, both second homologies $H_2(M)$ and $H_2(N,\delta N)$ are equipped with a norm (...
1 vote
0 answers
297 views

Boundary map in Mayer-Vietoris sequence of cohomology

Suppose $M$ is a 3-manifold with connected boundary. Let $T$ be a tangle in $M$, i.e., $T$ is a embedded connected 1-submanifold whose boundary is on $\partial M$ ($T$ is not closed). Moreover, ...
8 votes
1 answer
387 views

Outer automorphism group of Brieskorn homology sphere?

In this post, it is discussed how a Brieskorn homology sphere $\Sigma(a_1,a_2,a_3)$ with $\displaystyle \frac{1}{a_1}+ \frac{1}{a_2}+ \frac{1}{a_3} < 1$ is an aspherical manifold with a ...
9 votes
1 answer
372 views

A strong form of Mostow rigidity without geometrization?

Mostow rigidity theorem says that two closed hyperbolic manifolds with isomorphic fundamental groups are isometric. Here is my question: suppose that $M$ and $N$ are two closed 3-manifolds such that $...
5 votes
1 answer
285 views

unlinking when relaxing the homeomorphism condition

Say that we have two knots $K_1$ and $K_2$ in $S^3$ linked together in $S^3$ and forming the Hopf link. Usually, we can prove that we cannot unlink them by using a link invariant that shows that the &...
1 vote
0 answers
137 views

Covers of a 4-manifold pull back a cohomology class to any algebraic multiple

Fix an algebraic integer $x\neq 0$. Is there a closed smooth 4-manifold $M$ with a class $\rho\in H^{1}_{\mathrm {dR} }(M)$ and a smooth covering map $\phi:M\to M$ such that $\phi^*\rho=x\rho$? Is ...
5 votes
2 answers
1k views

Heegard diagrams for three-manifolds

I have a basic question about the Heegaard diagrams involved in providing a framework for calculation of Floer-Homology of three-manifolds. Typically such diagrams look like Figure 1 and Figure 2 here ...
3 votes
0 answers
75 views

Approximative extension of the autohomeomorphism of the complement of the trivial knot?

Let $S^1\subset \mathbb{R}^3$ be the unit circle and suppose $h\colon \mathbb{R}^3\setminus S^1\to \mathbb{R}^3\setminus S^1$ is a homeomorphism. Clearly it might be that $h$ cannot be extended to $S^...
4 votes
0 answers
397 views

Contractibility and orientation double cover

Question. Let $M$ be a triangulated non-orientable 3-manifold with non-orientable boundary. (It is possible to assume that the boundary is the Klein bottle.) Let $\ell$ be a non-orientable loop on the ...
7 votes
1 answer
400 views

Implications of Geometrization conjecture for fundamental group

Hempel proved that Haken manifolds have residually finite fundamental groups. With the Geometrization conjecture, this now holds for any compact and orientable 3-manifold. How exactly does the ...
7 votes
3 answers
573 views

open book decompositions of $\Sigma\times S^1$

Let $\Sigma$ be a closed orientable surface. Is there a standard open book decomposition on the $3$-manifold $M=\Sigma\times S^1$? If the binding is allowed to be empty in the definition of an open ...
4 votes
2 answers
536 views

Explicit tetrahedralizations of closed 3-manifolds and connections between convex polytopes and hyperbolic knot complements

There are three consistent ways to glue opposite faces of a dodecahedron to get a closed 3-manifold. With a $\frac{1}{10}$ twist we receive the Poincaré dodecahedral space, with a $\frac{3}{10}$ twist ...
8 votes
2 answers
2k views

Classification of closed 3-manifolds with finite first homology group?

I am interested in a topological classification of connected closed 3-manifold $M$ that have finite homology group $H_1(M)$. Since $H_1(M)$ is the abelization of the fundamental group $\pi_1(M)$, ...
5 votes
2 answers
307 views

Seifert fiberings of zero euler number which are semi-bundles

Let M be a closed oriented manifold which has the structure of a "semi-bundle" (See Section 1.2. of Hatcher's notes on three-manifolds) over an interval I. Assume that M is Seifert fibered over a base ...
6 votes
3 answers
904 views

Find a surface or 3-manifold whose fundamental group is $(\mathbb{Z}/n\mathbb{Z}) \rtimes (\mathbb{Z}/2\mathbb{Z})$

I know by Van Kampen's Theorem that we can obtain $\pi_1(S_1 \vee S_1) = \mathbb{Z} * \mathbb{Z}$, so I am wondering if we can construct a surface or 3-manifold whose fundamental group is $\mathbb{Z}...
6 votes
3 answers
555 views

Given a link $L\subset S^3$ how to construct a link $L'$ whose complement have hyperbolic structure?

Thurston claimed that almost all closed 3-manifolds are hyperbolic. To support this, he said that every closed 3-manifold is obtained by Dehn surgery along some link whose complement is hyperbolic. ...
8 votes
1 answer
188 views

Heegaard splitting of maps between 3-manifolds

Let $M$ and $M'$ be closed oriented connected 3-manfolds and let $f : M \to M'$ be a continuous map. Do there exist Heegaard splittings $M = H_1 \cup H_2$ and $M' = H_1' \cup H_2'$ and a map $f'$ ...
4 votes
3 answers
392 views

Can one calculate possible mapping degrees from a connected-sum to another manifold?

Let $D(M,N)$ be the set of all possible degrees of maps from $M$ to $N$, $M_1\#M_2$ the connected sum of $M_1$ and $M_2$. Can $D(M_1\#M_2,N)$ be calculated in terms of $D(M_1,N)$ and $D(M_2,N)$? ...
9 votes
1 answer
605 views

Mapping Class Groups and torus (JSJ) decomposition of closed 3-manifolds

I am wondering if some intuitive relation exists between Mapping Class Group (MCG) of a 3-manifold (assume "simple" enough manifolds: closed,compact,irreducible, orientable, non-hyperbolic) and its ...
26 votes
6 answers
3k views

How to get convinced that there are a lot of 3-manifolds?

My question is rather philosophical : without using advanced tools as Perlman-Thurston's geometrisation, how can we get convinced that the class of closed oriented $3$-manifolds is large and that ...
24 votes
2 answers
828 views

Can one deform an immersion of a 3-manifold in $\mathbb R^4$ to an embedding in $\mathbb R^6$?

Let $M^3$ be an oriented 3-manifold, and let $f:M^3\looparrowright \mathbb R^4$ be a codimension one immersion. Is it possible to find a small deformation of the composite map $$ M^3 \to \mathbb R^4 \...
6 votes
2 answers
562 views

3-manifolds homotopy equivalent to a surface

I have heard that an open, orientable 3-manifold $X$ (non-compact, without-boundary) that is homotopy equivalent to an orientable surface $S_g$ must itself already be homemorphic to $S_g \times \...
2 votes
2 answers
552 views

Is the following 3-manifold irreducible?

We start with product manifold $ X := S_g \times (0,1)$, where $S_g$ is a closed, orientable surface of genus $g \geq 1$. Since this has $\mathbb R^3$ as its universal cover, $X$ is irreducible. Now $...
5 votes
1 answer
1k views

On the fundamental group of closed 3-manifolds

I know that every finitely presented group can be realized as the fundamental group of a compact, connected, smooth manifold of dimension 4 (or higher). In dimension 2 there are strong restriction on ...
4 votes
0 answers
269 views

Action of the mapping class group on separating spheres in a connected sum of aspherical 3-manifolds

Let $M$ be a connected sum of $g$ closed aspherical 3-manifolds $M_1, \ldots, M_g$. [Update: I also assume that all the $M_i$-s are diffeomorphic, i.e. $M$ is a connected sum of copies of the same ...
3 votes
2 answers
465 views

Branched coverings over orbifolds with reflector lines

It is well known that if $F\to B$ is a $n$-finite branched covering over an orbifold with cone-points then the orbifold Euler's characteristics are related via $\chi(F)=n(\chi(B)-\sum_i^r\frac{a_i-1}{...
1 vote
0 answers
266 views

What invariants are of great concern in the field of 3-manifolds and why? How much do we know about them? [closed]

I am curious about 3-manifolds though I know little. Here I am trying to know what invariants people in this field are interested in. The following are what I have known and what I particularly want ...
6 votes
1 answer
363 views

Is there "nonorientable Heegaard Floer homology"?

I have a Heegaard diagram which produces a non-orientable 3-manifold. I want to know any 3-manifold invariant which can be calculated from Heegaard diagrams for non-orientable 3-manifold. (As far as I ...
1 vote
0 answers
211 views

Toral decomposition

I have a couple of questions on the following theorem: Theorem. (Jaco, Shalen) Let $M$ be a compact, irreducible, orientable 3-manifold with incompressible boundary. There exists a collection $\...
2 votes
1 answer
372 views

isotopy classes of embeddings of the torus

Let's consider $S^1$-bundle $E$ over a 2-manifold $M$. How many isotopy classes of embeddings of the torus $\mathbb{T}^2$ in $E$? For each free homotopy classes $\gamma$ of mappings of the circle ...
5 votes
1 answer
474 views

Casson invariant and signature

In W. Neumann, J. Wahl, "Casson invariant of links of singularities", Comment. Math. Helv.,1990, Vol. 65, Issue 1, pp 58-78 some connection between the Casson invariant and the signature is ...
13 votes
2 answers
534 views

Heegaard splitting of covering hyperbolic manifold.

I am curious about how the Heegaard genus changes after a finite covering. Is there anyone constructing an closed hyperbolic 3-manifold $N$ such that the Heegaard genus of a finite covering of $N$ ...
0 votes
1 answer
483 views

Is this manifold orientable? [closed]

Let $C$ be the set of points $(a,b,c,d) \in \mathbb{C}^4$ which satisfy 1) $ \left|a\right|^2+\left|c\right|^2=\left|b\right|^2+\left|d\right|^2 =1 $. 2) $ a\bar{b}+c\bar{d}=0 $ There is a (...
1 vote
1 answer
685 views

3-manifold theorem reference request or proof

The following is a theorem of which I have great interest in but cannot find anything about on the internet, Every 3-manifold of finite volume comes from identifying sides of some polyhedron I'm ...
6 votes
1 answer
1k views

Dehn surgery on handlebody

Assume $V$ is a handlebody and $C$ be a simple closed curve contained in the interior of $V$. As Sam said, there exists some simple closed curve such that every dehn surgery along it produces a ...
18 votes
1 answer
1k views

Diffeomorphisms vs homeomorphisms of 3-manifolds

For a smooth 3-manifold $M$, is the natural map from the space of diffeomorphisms of $M$ to the space of homeomorphisms of $M$, $${\sf Diff}(M) \longrightarrow {\sf Top}(M),$$ a weak homotopy ...
2 votes
3 answers
614 views

what is the meaning of a curve $C$ representing Identity in fundamental group?

Suppose $M$ is a closed 3-manifold, $C\subset M$ is a simple closed curve which represent identity in $\pi_{1}(M)$. Then $C$ bounds an immersed disk in $M$. My question is: When does it bound an ...