Topology Seminar: An infinite presentation for the Torelli group

  • Date: 02/02/2010
Lecturer(s):
Andrew Putman  (MIT)
Location: 

University of British Columbia

Description: 

The Torelli group is the subgroup of the mapping class group of a surface which acts trivially on the surface's first homology group. Despite the pioneering work of Birman, Johnson, and many others numerous basic questions about it remain open. I will begin by describing some history and background, and then I will discuss a new (infinite) presentation of the Torelli group whose generators and relations have simple topological interpretations.

Schedule: 

3:00pm - 4:00pm, WMAX 216 

(Please note the special venue for this week)

Sponsor: