Two second Steenrod squares for odd Khovanov homology

Dirk Schuetz

Published 2022-09-01Version 1

Recently, Sarkar-Scaduto-Stoffregen constructed a stable homotopy type for odd Khovanov homology, hence obtaining an action of the Steenrod algebra on Khovanov homology with $\mathbb{Z}/2\mathbb{Z}$ coefficients. Motivated by their construction we propose a way to compute the second Steenrod square. Our construction is not unique, but we can show it to be a link invariant which gives rise to a refinement of the Rasmussen $s$-invariant with $\mathbb{Z}/2\mathbb{Z}$ coefficients. We expect it to be related to the second Steenrod square arising from the Sarkar-Scaduto-Stoffregen construction.