Invariant polynomials for torus links are obtained in the framework of the
Chern-Simons topological gauge theory. The polynomials are computed as vacuum
expectation values on the three-sphere of Wilson line operators representing
the Verlinde algebra of the corresponding rational conformal field theory. In
the case of the SU(2) gauge theory our results provide explicit expressions
for the Jones polynomial as well as for the polynomials associated to the
N-state (N>2) vertex models (Akutsu-Wadati polynomials). By means of the
Chern-Simons coset construction, the minimal unitary models are analyzed,
showing that the corresponding link invariants factorize into two SU(2)
polynomials. A method to obtain skein rules from the Chern-Simons knot
operators is developed. This procedure yields the eigenvalues of the braiding
matrix of the corresponding conformal field theory.Comment: 50 page