USaskatchewan Peter Scherk Lecture in Geometry: Daniel Freed

  • Date: 09/16/2019
Speaker(s):
Daniel S. Freed, Texas at Austin
Location: 

University of Saskatchewan

Topic: 

An Application of Homotopy Theory to Condensed Matter Physics

Description: 

The classification of phases of matter is a topic of much current interest. While descriptions of quantum mechanical systems often use discrete lattice models, one can typically approximate by continuous field theories. There is a well-developed mathematical framework for studying field theories, and this brings powerful techniques to the table. In this general talk, I will describe joint work with Mike Hopkins (Harvard) in which we carry out this scheme for invertible phases of matter and deduce the classification in terms of bordism groups of manifolds. Much of the talk will focus on general ideas at an elementary level.

Other Information: 

Monday, September 16th
Time: 3:30 to 5:00 pm
Location: U Saskatchewan, Room BIOL 106