The Quantum Content of the Normal Surfaces in a Three-Manifold

The formula for the Turaev-Viro invariant of a 3-manifold depends on a complex parameter t. When t is not a root of unity, the formula becomes an infinite sum. This paper analyzes convergence of this sum when t does not lie on the unit circle, in the presence of an efficient triangulation of the three-manifold. The terms of the sum can be indexed by surfaces lying in the three-manifold. The contribution of a surface is largest when the surface is normal and when its genus is the lowest.