Trace-free $$\mathrm{SL}(2,{\pmb {\mathbb {C}}})$$ SL ( 2 , C ) -representations of arborescent links

Abstract

Given a link $L\subset S^3$, a representation $\pi_1(S^3-L)\to{\rm SL}(2,\mathbb{C})$ is {\it trace-free} if it sends each meridian to an element with trace zero. We present a method for completely determining trace-free ${\rm SL}(2,\mathbb{C})$-representations for arborescent links. Concrete computations are done for a class of 3-bridge arborescent links.