Milnor conjecture (knot theory)

Theorem that the slice genus of the (p, q) torus knot is (p-1)(q-1)/2

For other uses, see Milnor conjecture (disambiguation).

In knot theory, the Milnor conjecture says that the slice genus of the  ( p , q ) {\displaystyle (p,q)} torus knot is

( p − 1 ) ( q − 1 ) / 2. {\displaystyle (p-1)(q-1)/2.}

It is in a similar vein to the Thom conjecture.

It was first proved by gauge theoretic methods by Peter Kronheimer and Tomasz Mrowka.[1] Jacob Rasmussen later gave a purely combinatorial proof using Khovanov homology, by means of the s-invariant.[2]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Kronheimer, P. B.; Mrowka, T. S. (1993), "Gauge theory for embedded surfaces, I" (PDF), Topology, 32 (4): 773–826, doi:10.1016/0040-9383(93)90051-V.
2. ^ Rasmussen, Jacob A. (2004). "Khovanov homology and the slice genus". arXiv:math.GT/0402131..

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