Knot Invariants as Chern–Simons Partition Functions: Linking Topology to Quantum Computation — E8 Intelligence Research

FINDING: Knot invariants (Jones, HOMFLY, Alexander) emerge as partition functions of topological quantum field theory — the same algebra underlying quantum computation. | MATH: Jones polynomial V(L) via Temperley–Lieb algebra; skein relation t⁻¹V(L₊) − tV(L₋) = (t^{1/2} − t^{−1/2})V(L₀); Witten: V(L) = ⟨W(L)⟩ = ∫ DA e^{iS}·Tr_R P exp(∮_L A), Chern–Simons action S = (k/4π)∫ Tr(A∧dA + ⅔A∧A∧A), level k ∈ ℤ; quantum group U_q(sl₂) at q = e^{2πi/(k+2)}. | CONNECTION: Chern–Simons level k+2 fixes the deformation parameter; the Jones polynomial's variable t = q². The 0.618 ratio appears in the quantum dimension of the fundamental rep of SU(2)_k: d = [2]_{q} = q + q⁻¹ → at k=1, q = e^{iπ/3}, d = 2cos(π/3) = 1; Fibonacci anyons at k=3 give quantum dimension φ = 1.618 (golden ratio), the canonical non-abelian anyon for universal topological quantum computation. | DEPTH: 9 FINDING: Higher-order Alexander invariants of homologically fibered knots factorize into Magnus-matrix components. | MATH: A Author: Andrew Stewart Caldin, Independent Researcher, UK. Part of the E8 Intelligence Research series. Platform: e8intelligence.com

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Published
2026-10-30
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23796604
Primary Topic
Geometric and Algebraic Topology
Type
preprint
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
preprint

Knot Invariants as Chern–Simons Partition Functions: Linking Topology to Quantum Computation — E8 Intelligence Research

Andrew Stewart Caldin
12 links
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Geometric and Algebraic Topology
preprint

Knot Invariants as Chern–Simons Partition Functions: Linking Topology to Quantum Computation — E8 Intelligence Research

Andrew Stewart Caldin
preprint en

Abstract

FINDING: Knot invariants (Jones, HOMFLY, Alexander) emerge as partition functions of topological quantum field theory — the same algebra underlying quantum computation. | MATH: Jones polynomial V(L) via Temperley–Lieb algebra; skein relation t⁻¹V(L₊) − tV(L₋) = (t^{1/2} − t^{−1/2})V(L₀); Witten: V(L) = ⟨W(L)⟩ = ∫ DA e^{iS}·Tr_R P exp(∮_L A), Chern–Simons action S = (k/4π)∫ Tr(A∧dA + ⅔A∧A∧A), level k ∈ ℤ; quantum group U_q(sl₂) at q = e^{2πi/(k+2)}. | CONNECTION: Chern–Simons level k+2 fixes the deformation parameter; the Jones polynomial's variable t = q². The 0.618 ratio appears in the quantum dimension of the fundamental rep of SU(2)_k: d = [2]_{q} = q + q⁻¹ → at k=1, q = e^{iπ/3}, d = 2cos(π/3) = 1; Fibonacci anyons at k=3 give quantum dimension φ = 1.618 (golden ratio), the canonical non-abelian anyon for universal topological quantum computation. | DEPTH: 9 FINDING: Higher-order Alexander invariants of homologically fibered knots factorize into Magnus-matrix components. | MATH: A Author: Andrew Stewart Caldin, Independent Researcher, UK. Part of the E8 Intelligence Research series. Platform: e8intelligence.com

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Geometric and Algebraic Topology
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.

Laika access coming soon