A generalization of the Alexander polynomial as an application of the delta derivative

Abstract

In this paper, we define the delta derivative in the integer group ring and we show that the delta derivative is well defined on the free groups. We also define a polynomial invariant of oriented knot and link by carrying the delta derivative to the link group. Since the delta derivative is a generalization of the free derivative, this polynomial invariant called the delta polynomial is a generalization of the Alexander polynomial. In addition, we present a new polynomial called the difference polynomial of oriented knot and link, which is similar to the Alexander polynomial and is a special case of the delta polynomial.