Instanton Homology and Fibered Knots: 2-Torsion and Alexander Polynomial

This paper investigates the properties of instanton homology, a powerful tool in 3-manifold topology, focusing on its behavior in the presence of fibered knots. The main result establishes the existence of 2-torsion in the instanton homology of fibered knots (excluding a specific case), providing new insights into the structure of these objects. The paper also connects instanton homology to the Alexander polynomial and Heegaard Floer theory, highlighting its relevance to other areas of knot theory and 3-manifold topology. The technical approach involves sutured instanton theory, allowing for comparisons between different coefficient fields.