Localizing punctures in M-theory
Couzens, C
Lüscher, A
Sparks, J
(05 Nov 2025)
IIB an equivariantly localized puncture
Couzens, C
Lüscher, A
Sparks, J
(12 Jan 2026)
The MPLS Divisional Teaching Award Scheme celebrates success, and recognises innovation and/or leadership in teaching. Awards are available to all those who teach, including graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and learning support staff. The Teaching Award Scheme is administered by the MPLS Divisional Office and awards are made, on merit, across the departments by a cross-departmental panel chaired by the Associate Head of Division (Taught Degrees).
Tue, 10 Mar 2026
13:00
13:00
L2
Hodge Structures of Complex Multiplication Type from Rational Conformal Field Theories
Pyry Kuusela,
(Sheffield)
Abstract
Gukov and Vafa have proposed that a conformal field theory describing a string compactification on a manifold is rational (an RCFT) if and only if the manifold admits complex multiplication (CM). We investigate and extend the Gukov-Vafa proposal by constructing Hodge structures of CM type using only RCFT data, without reference to a geometric interpretation.
We use the chiral and boundary states of the RCFT to construct the complex and rational vector spaces underlying the Hodge structure. Using the known notion of Galois symmetry of RCFTs and some elementary Galois theory, we are able to show that these Hodge structures are of CM-type, subject to some technical assumptions that can be verified explicitly for large classes of theories, including those without known geometric interpretation. We also discuss briefly the relation of complex multiplication to arithmetic geometry.
This talk is based on arXiv:2510.25708 with H. Jockers and M. Sarve.
Tue, 05 May 2026
13:00
13:00
L2
The Bootstrap Siege of M-theory
Andrea Guerrieri
(City University )
Abstract
In recent years, analytic and numerical Bootstrap methods have emerged as powerful tools to probe non-perturbative aspects of quantum field theory and quantum gravity. In this talk I will discuss the nonperturbative S-matrix Bootstrap approach to scattering amplitudes in maximal supergravity. After a brief overview of the method, I will review earlier results obtained in this framework, including bounds on the Wilson coefficient of the R^4 operator in D=9,10,11, and the observation that string and M-theory amplitudes appear to lie on the boundary of the allowed bootstrap region. I will then present preliminary results for the higher dimensional corrections like the D^4 R^4 interaction in eleven dimensions and show how the resulting constraints on the non-perturbative M-theory scattering amplitude match expectations from string/M-theory.
Participants are needed for an MSc in Education dissertation project that explores the relationships between teaching practices, student motivation and student personality traits in undergraduate STEM courses.
Participation in this study includes the completion of a questionnaire, which will ask you questions about your beliefs and attitudes in relation to the above-mentioned topics. Please think carefully about each item and answer as truthfully as possible based on your current feelings.
