A proof of the shadow formula for the SU(2)-Reshetikhin-Turaev-Witten invariant (1510.08687v2)

Abstract: Turaev's shadow formula calculates the SU(2)-Reshetikhin-Turaev-Witten invariants using shadows, and its expression is somehow similar to a Euler characteristic. We give a short proof of this formula using skein theory. The formula applies to pairs (M,G) where M is a closed oriented 3-manifold and GcM is a (possibly empty) colored framed trivalent graph (for instance, a framed knot or link).