Past Events at the University of Calgary

Past Events
- 19-Apr-07
Gauss Sums: Finding the Root of Unity
A Gauss sum over a finite field GF(q) is a sum of q algebraic numbers. It is often useful to evaluate Gauss sums explicitly, for instance, in coding theoretic or cryptographic applications. For small q, the evaluation of Gauss sums can be done nai  more››
Scientific Event
- 18-Apr-07
Values and Ideals in Combinatorial Problems
The absolute value of complex numbers is surprisingly useful in the investigation of certain combinatorial problems. The connection often arises from imbedding finite cyclic groups into the complex numbers by sending the group elements to roots of  more››
Scientific Event
- 9-Mar-07
Amoebas, Coamoebas, and Tropical Geometry
Given a triangle with side lengths 1, log x, log y and opposite interior angles π-u-v, u, v, the functional determinant ∂(x,y)/∂(u,v) is identically equal to 1. This amusing fact is a special ins  more››
Scientific Event
- 7-Dec-06
Time-Frequency Analysis: From Wireless Communications to Abstract Harmonic Analysis
In the talk I will discuss the relation between problems in wireless communications and time-frequency analysis. I will explain the basic principle of OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) and its formulation in time-frequency analysis  more››
Scientific Event
- 1-Dec-06
Energy minimization can be thought of as a broad generalization of sphere packing. Yudin discovered that harmonic analysis can be applied to prove lower bounds for potential energy. This talk will explain these bounds and show how to use them to p  more››
Scientific Event
- 30-Nov-06
Optimality of the Leech lattice
This talk will outline the proof that the Leech lattice is the unique densest lattice in R24. The proof combines linear programming bounds with special algebraic and geometric arguments. This is joint work with Abhinav Kumar.  more››
Scientific Event
- 29-Nov-06
Sphere packing and harmonic analysis
Harmonic analysis is one of the fundamental tools in sphere packing, in the form of "linear programming bounds". This talk will give a survey of linear programming bounds and their applications, as well as a brief introduction to semidef  more››
Scientific Event
- 17-Nov-06
Scientific Event
- 16-Nov-06
Distribution of volume on isotropic convex bodies
Scientific Event
- 6-Oct-06
Traditional mathematical proofs are written in a way to make them easily understood by mathematicians. Routine logical steps are omitted. An enormous amount of context is assumed on the part of the reader. Proofs, especially in topology and geomet  more››
Scientific Event
- 4-Oct-06
Computer-assisted proofs in geometry
In recent years, computer-assisted proofs have become relatively common. For example, in 2002, W. Tucker published a proof of problem 14 (concerning strange attractors) on Smale's list of problems for the new century. Other recent computer-assiste  more››
Scientific Event
- 2-Oct-06
Kepler's conjecture asserts that the densest possible arrangement of congruent balls in three dimensions is the familiar pyramid arrangement, which is used to stack oranges at the fruit stand. A 300-page proof of this theorem finally appeared in J  more››
Scientific Event
- 28-Sep-06
The integral geometry of random sets
In various scientific fields from astro- and high energy physics to neuroimaging, researchers observe entire images or functions rather than single observations. The integral geometric properties, notably the Euler characteristic of the level/excu  more››
Scientific Event
- 14-Aug-06
- 18-Aug-06
Geophysical Inversion Workshop
The second PIMS GIW will be held on the University of Calgary Campus in August of 2006. Like the first event (2003), the purpose is to bring together mathematicians and geophysicists to focus on a challenging inver  more››
Scientific Event
- 14-Aug-06
- 19-Aug-06
Canadian Quantum Information Students' Conference
The Canadian Quantum Information Students' Conference (CQISC) offers the ideal environment for graduate students interested in all areas of Quantum Information Theory and Experiment to meet an collaborate. Students of computer science, mathem  more››
Scientific Event
- 7-Aug-06
- 12-Aug-06
Sixth Canadian Summer School on Quantum Information Processing
The goal of this summer school is to introduce a general audience of computer scientists, physicists, and mathematicians with little or no background in quantum information processing to this exciting and growing field. Quantum information pro  more››
Scientific Event
- 29-May-06
- 3-Jun-06
Canadian Operator Symposium 2006
The 34-th Annual Canadian Operator Symposium (COSy) will take place at the University of Calgary campus from May 29th to June 2, 2006. The meeting will be an occasion to celebrate the 65-th birthday of  more››
Scientific Event
- 18-Apr-06
Tax Incentives for Research and Development: Theory and Evidence
R&D differs from other types of investments for several reasons. One is that there are several market failures thought to be associated with R&D – knowledge spillovers, business stealing effects, asymmetric information in financial markets,  more››
Industrial Event