USask PIMS Geometry and Physics (GAP) Seminar: Matthew B. Young

  • Date: 02/02/2023
Lecturer(s):
Matthew B. Young, Utah State University
Location: 

University of Saskatchewan

Topic: 

U_q(\mathfrak{gl}(1 \vert 1)) and U(1 \vert 1) Chern-Simons theory

Description: 

Chern-Simons theory, as introduced by Witten, is a three dimensional quantum gauge theory associated to a compact simple Lie group and a level. The mathematical model of this theory as a topological quantum field theory was introduced by Reshetikhin and Turaev and is at the core of modern quantum topology. The goal of this talk is to explain a non-semisimple modification of the construction of Reshetikhin and Turaev which realizes Chern-Simons theory with gauge supergroup U(1 \vert 1), as studied in the physics literature by Rozansky-Saleur and Mikhaylov. In particular, I'll motivate and explain various relative modular structures on the category of representations of the quantum group of \mathfrak{gl}(1 \vert 1) which should be seen as non-semisimple analogues of modular tensor categories associated to the quantum representation theory of a simple Lie algebra at a root of unity. Based on joint work with Nathan Geer.

Other Information: 

Location: Online. Join for Zoom meeting. (Meeting ID: 936 6357 4827; Passcode: qUSaskGAP)

 

Time: 4.30pm Central/ 3.30pm Pacific