Knot theory and the Casson invariant in Artin presentation theory

In Artin presentation theory, a smooth, compact four-manifold is determined by a certain type of presentation of the fundamental group of its boundary. Topological invariants of both three-and four-manifolds can be calculated solely in terms of functions of the discrete Artin presentation. González- Acuña proposed such a formula for the Rokhlin invariant of an integral homology three-sphere. This paper provides a formula for the Casson invariant of rational homology spheres. Thus, all 3D Seiberg-Witten invariants can be calculated by using methods of the theory of groups in Artin presentation theory. The Casson invariant is closely related to canonical knots determined by an Artin presentation. It is also shown that any knot in any three-manifold appears as a canonical knot in Artin presentation theory. An open problem is to determine 4D Seiberg-Witten and Donaldson invariants in Artin presentation theory. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.