Invariants of flat connections on 4-manifolds from Hopf group-algebras

Abstract

For a given group $G$, we construct an invariant of flat $G$-connections on 4-manifolds from a finite type involutory quasitriangular Hopf $G$-algebra. Hopf $G$-algebras are generalizations of Hopf algebras, equipped with gradings by $G$. In our construction, we color the dotted components of a Kirby diagram with elements of $G$ and employ the Hennings-type procedure. When $G$ is finite, we also define an invariant of 4-manifolds by summing the invariants over all flat $G$-connections.

26 pages, 15 figures. Final version; added Move II-6 and clarified the proofs