This text on contact topology is the first comprehensive introduction to the subject, including recent striking applications in geometric and differential topology: Eliashberg's proof of Cerf's theorem via the classification of tightcontact structures on the 3-sphere, and the Kronheimer-Mrowka proof of property P for knots via symplectic fillings of contact 3-manifolds. Starting with the basic differential topology of contact manifolds, all aspects of 3-dimensional contact manifolds are treated in this book. One notable feature is a detailed exposition of Eliashberg's classification of overtwisted contact structures. Later chapters also deal with higher-dimensional contact topology. Here thefocus is on contact surgery, but other constructions of contact manifolds aredescribed, such as open books or fibre connected sums. This book serves both as a self-contained introduction to the subject for advanced graduate studentsand as a reference for researchers.
- ISBN: 978-0-521-86585-2
- Editorial: Cambridge University
- Encuadernacion: Cartoné
- Páginas: 460
- Fecha Publicación: 01/01/2008
- Nº Volúmenes: 1
- Idioma: Inglés