Abstract.
Let m and be positive integers. The set of links of codimension
,
, is the set
of smooth isotopy classes of smooth embeddings
. Haefliger showed that
is a finitely generated abelian group with respect to embedded connected summation and computed its rank in the case of knots, i.e.
. For
and for restrictions on
the rank of this group can be computed using results of Haefliger or Nezhinsky.
Our main result determines the rank of the group
in general. In particular we determine precisely when
is finite. We also accomplish these tasks for framed links. Our proofs are based on the Haefliger exact sequence for groups of links and the theory of Lie algebras.
© 2014 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston