Topology Seminar: Craig Westerland

  • Date: 10/04/2017
  • Time: 15:15
Lecturer(s):
Craig Westerland, University of Minnesota
Location: 

University of British Columbia

Topic: 

Homology of braid groups via quantum shuffle algebras

Description: 

I will explain some new techniques for computing the homology of braid groups with coefficients in a certain class of exponential representations that arise in a natural way from braided monoidal categories. Surprisingly (at least to me), these techniques are related to fundamental objects — Nichols algebras — in the theory of quantum groups and the classification theory of Hopf algebras. These techniques can be used to establish part of a function field analogue of Malle’s conjecture on the distribution of Galois groups. I will not discuss this application much in the topology seminar, but will focus on it in the colloquium. This is joint work with Jordan Ellenberg and TriThang Tran.

Other Information: 

ESB 4133 (PIMS Lounge)