Conway polynomials of periodic links (Q1333597)

The author proves a formula for the Conway potential of a periodic link in \(S^3 \). Here a periodic link is the lift \(\widetilde L\) of some link \(L\) in \(S^3\) to the \(p\)-fold branched cover branched over some unknot \(B\) disjoint from \(L\). The formula relates the Conway potential of \(\widetilde L\) with the potential of \(B \cup L\). Such a formula was previously known for the Alexander polynomial [\textit{M. Sakuma}, Math. Ann. 257, 487-494 (1981; Zbl 0458.57002)]. The author determines the normalizations from various relations between potentials and polynomials and discusses applications.