Invariants of Random Knots and Links

We study random knots and links in R using the Petaluma model, which is based on the petal projections developed in [2]. In this model we obtain a formula for the distribution of the linking number of a random two-component link. We also obtain formulas for the expectations and the higher moments of the Casson invariant and the order-3 knot invariant v3. These are the first precise formulas given for the distributions and higher moments of invariants in any model for random knots or links. We also use numerical computation to compare these to other random knot and link models, such as those based on grid diagrams. MSC: 57M25 60B05