Introduction to quantum representations of mapping class groups

Abstract

We provide an (almost) self-contained construction of the Witten-Reshetikhin-Turaev representations of the mapping class group. We describe its properties including its Hermitian structure, irreducibility and integrality (at prime level). The construction of these notes relies only on skein theory (Kauffman Bracket) and does not use surgery techniques. We hope that they will be accessible to non-specialists.

21 pages, 11 figures