Massey products, A∞-algebras, differential equations, and Chekanov homology

Abstract

We consider (classical and generalized) Massey products on the Chekanov homology of a Legendrian knot, and we prove that they are invariant under Legendrian isotopies. We also construct a minimal A∞-algebra structure on the Chekanov algebra of a Legendrian knot, we prove that this structure is invariant under Legendrian isotopy, and we observe that its higher multiplications allow us to find representatives for classical Massey products. Finally, we consider differential equations: we remark that the Massey product Legendrian invariants admit a “dynamical interpretation”, in the sense that they provide solutions for a Maurer-Cartan equation posed on an infinite-dimensional bigraded Lie algebra, and we show how to set up and solve a (twisted) Kadomtsev-Petviashvili hierarchy of equations starting from the Chekanov algebra of a Legendrian knot.