Khovanov homology and causality in spacetimes

We observe that Khovanov homology detects causality in $(2+1)$-dimensional globally hyperbolic spacetimes whose Cauchy surface is homeomorphic to $\mathbb R^2$. We use this result to discuss how Khovanov homology can be used to detect causality in globally hyperbolic spacetimes whose Cauchy surface is different from $\mathbb R^2$.

The talk is based on the joint work by the speaker, Gage Martin (Boston College) and Ina Petkova (Dartmouth College), and it uses heavily the machinery relating Causality and Legedrian linking developed by Stefan Nemirovski and the speaker.