On the sheaf-theoretic SL(2,C) Casson-Lin invariant

Abstract

We prove that the ($\tau$-weighted, sheaf-theoretic) SL(2,C) Casson-Lin invariant introduced by Manolescu and the first author in [CM19] is generically independent of the parameter $\tau$ and additive under connected sums of knots in integral homology 3-spheres. This addresses two questions asked in [CM19]. Our arguments involve a mix of topology, microlocal analysis and algebraic geometry, and rely crucially on the fact that the SL(2,C) Casson-Lin invariant admits an alternative interpretation via the theory of Behrend functions.

29 pages; v2: minor modifications and expanded introduction