Forthcoming events in this series


Tue, 17 Jun 2025
15:30
L4

Quivers and curves in higher dimensions

Hulya Arguz
(University of Georgia)
Abstract

Quiver Donaldson-Thomas invariants are integers determined by the geometry of moduli spaces of quiver representations. I will describe a correspondence between quiver Donaldson-Thomas invariants and Gromov-Witten counts of rational curves in toric and cluster varieties. This is joint work with Pierrick Bousseau.

Tue, 10 Jun 2025
15:30
L4

Cohomological Donaldson—Thomas invariants for 3-manifolds

Pavel Safronov
(Edinburgh University)
Abstract
Cohomological Donaldson—Thomas theory associates cohomology groups to various moduli spaces in algebraic geometry, such as the moduli space of coherent sheaves on a Calabi—Yau 3-fold. In this talk I will explain some recent results on cohomological DT invariants in the setting of a real 3-manifold $M$. In terms of string theory it corresponds to counting D3 branes in the compactification of a type IIB string theory on $T^* M$. This setting of DT theory is particularly interesting due to its connections to topology (via skein modules), geometric representation theory (geometric Langlands program), and mathematical physics (analytic continuation of Chern—Simons theory). This talk is based on papers joint with Gunningham, Kinjo, Naef, and Park.



 

Tue, 03 Jun 2025
15:30
L4

Bordism categories and orientations of moduli spaces

Dominic Joyce
(Oxford)
Abstract
In many situations in Differential or Algebraic Geometry, one forms moduli spaces $\cal M$ of geometric objects, such that $\cal M$ is a manifold, or something close to a manifold (a derived manifold, Kuranishi space, …). Then we can ask whether $\cal M$ is orientable, and if so, whether there is a natural choice of orientation.
  This is important in the definition of enumerative invariants: we arrange that the moduli space $\cal M$ is a compact oriented manifold (or derived manifold), so it has a fundamental class in homology, and the invariants are the integrals of natural cohomology classes over this fundamental class.
  For example, if $X$ is a compact oriented Riemannian 4-manifold, we can form moduli spaces $\cal M$ of instanton connections on some principal $G$-bundle $P$ over $X$, and the Donaldson invariants of $X$ are integrals over $\cal M$.
  In the paper arXiv:2503.20456, Markus Upmeier and I develop a theory of "bordism categories”, which are a new tool for studying orientability and canonical orientations of moduli spaces. It uses a lot of Algebraic Topology, and computation of bordism groups of classifying spaces. We apply it to study orientability and canonical orientations of moduli spaces of $G_2$ instantons and associative 3-folds on $G_2$ manifolds, and of Spin(7) instantons and Cayley 4-folds on Spin(7) manifolds, and of coherent sheaves on Calabi-Yau 4-folds. These have applications to enumerative invariants, in particular, to Donaldson-Thomas type invariants of Calabi-Yau 4-folds.
   All this is joint work with Markus Upmeier.
Tue, 27 May 2025
15:30
L4

Cored perverse sheaves

Vidit Nanda
(Oxford)
Abstract

I will describe some recent efforts to recreate the miraculous properties of perverse sheaves on complex analytic spaces in the setting of real stratified spaces.

Tue, 20 May 2025
15:30
L4

Relative orientations and the cyclic Deligne conjecture

Nick Rozenblyum
(University of Toronto)
Abstract

A consequence of the works of Costello and Lurie is that the Hochschild chain complex of a Calabi-Yau category admits the structure of a framed E_2 algebra (the genus zero operations). I will describe a new algebraic point of view on these operations which admits generalizations to the setting of relative
Calabi-Yau structures, which do not seem to fit into the framework of TQFTs. In particular, we obtain a generalization of string topology to manifolds with boundary, as well as interesting operations on Hochschild homology of Fano varieties. This is joint work with Chris Brav.

Tue, 13 May 2025
15:30
L4

Parametrising complete intersections

Jakub Wiaterek
(Oxford)
Abstract

We use Non-Reductive GIT to construct compactifications of Hilbert schemes of complete intersections. We then study ample line bundles on these compactifications in order to construct moduli spaces of complete intersections for certain degree types.

Tue, 06 May 2025
15:30
L4

Fukaya categories at singular values of the moment map

Ed Segal
(University College London)
Abstract

Given a Hamiltonian circle action on a symplectic manifold, Fukaya and Teleman tell us that we can relate the equivariant Fukaya category to the Fukaya category of a symplectic reduction.  Yanki Lekili and I have some conjectures that extend this story - in certain special examples - to singular values of the moment map. I'll also explain the mirror symmetry picture that we use to support our conjectures, and how we interpret our claims in Teleman's framework of `topological group actions' on categories.



 

Tue, 29 Apr 2025
15:30
L4

On the birational geometry of algebraically integrable foliations

Paolo Cascini
(Imperial College London)
Abstract

I will review recent progress on extending the Minimal Model Program to algebraically integrable foliations, focusing on applications such as the canonical bundle formula and recent results toward the boundedness of Fano foliations.

Tue, 11 Mar 2025
15:30
L4

Quiver with potential and attractor invariants

Pierre Descombes
(Imperial College London)
Abstract
Given a quiver (a directed graph) with a potential (a linear combination of cycles), one can study moduli spaces of the associated noncommutative algebra and associate so-called BPS invariants to them. These are interesting because they have a deep link with cluster algebras and provide some kind of noncommutative analogue of DT theory, the study of sheaves on Calabi-Yau 3-folds.
The generating series of BPS invariants for interesting quivers with potentials are in general very wild. However, using the Kontsevich-Soibelman wall-crossing formula, a recursive formula expresses the BPS invariants in terms of so-called attractor invariants, which are expected to be simple in interesting situations. We will discuss them for quivers with potential associated to triangulations of surfaces and quivers with potential giving noncommutative resolutions of CY3 singularities.
Tue, 04 Mar 2025
15:30
L4

Mixed characteristic analogues of Du Bois and log canonical singularities

Joe Waldron
(Michigan State University)
Abstract

Singularities are measured in different ways in characteristic zero, positive characteristic, and mixed characteristic. However, classes of singularities usually form analogous groups with similar properties, with an example of such a group being klt, strongly F-regular and BCM-regular.  In this talk we shall focus on newly introduced mixed characteristic counterparts of Du Bois and log canonical singularities and discuss their properties. 

This is joint work with Bhargav Bhatt, Linquan Ma, Zsolt Patakfalvi, Karl Schwede, Kevin Tucker and Jakub Witaszek. 

Tue, 25 Feb 2025
15:30
L4

The Logarithmic Hilbert Scheme

Patrick Kennedy-Hunt
(Cambridge)
Abstract

I am interested in studying moduli spaces and associated enumerative invariants via degeneration techniques. Logarithmic geometry is a natural language for constructing and studying relevant moduli spaces. In this talk I  will explain the logarithmic Hilbert (or more generally Quot) scheme and outline how the construction helps study enumerative invariants associated to Hilbert/Quot schemes- a story we now understand well. Time permitting, I will discuss some challenges and key insights for studying moduli of stable vector bundles/ sheaves via similar techniques - a theory whose details are still being worked out. 

Tue, 18 Feb 2025
15:30
L4

Invariance of elliptic genus under wall-crossing

Henry Liu
(IPMU Tokyo)
Abstract

Elliptic genus, and its various generalizations, is one of the simplest numerical invariants of a scheme that one can consider in elliptic cohomology. I will present a topological condition which implies that elliptic genus is invariant under wall-crossing. It is related to Krichever-Höhn’s elliptic rigidity. Many applications are possible: to GIT quotients, moduli of sheaves, Donaldson-Thomas invariants, etc.

Tue, 11 Feb 2025
15:30
L4

Equivariant Floer theory for symplectic C*-manifolds

Alexander Ritter
(Oxford)
Abstract
The talk will be on recent progress in a series of joint papers with Filip Živanović, about a large class of non-compact symplectic manifolds, which includes semiprojective toric varieties, quiver varieties, and conical symplectic resolutions of singularities. These manifolds admit a Hamiltonian circle action which is part of a pseudo-holomorphic action of a complex torus. The symplectic form on these spaces is highly non-exact, yet we can make sense of Hamiltonian Floer cohomology for functions of the moment map of the circle action. We showed that Floer theory induces a filtration by ideals on quantum cohomology. I will explain recent progress on equivariant Floer cohomology for these spaces, in which case we obtain a filtration on equivariant quantum cohomology. If time permits, I will also mention a presentation of symplectic cohomology and quantum cohomology for semiprojective toric varities.
Tue, 04 Feb 2025
15:30
L4

Global logarithmic deformation theory

Simon Felten
(Oxford)
Abstract

A well-known problem in algebraic geometry is to construct smooth projective Calabi-Yau varieties $Y$. In the smoothing approach, we construct first a degenerate (reducible) Calabi-Yau scheme $V$ by gluing pieces. Then we aim to find a family $f\colon X \to C$ with special fiber $X_0 = f^{-1}(0) \cong V$ and smooth general fiber $X_t = f^{-1}(t)$. In this talk, we see how infinitesimal logarithmic deformation theory solves the second step of this approach: the construction of a family out of a degenerate fiber $V$. This is achieved via the logarithmic Bogomolov-Tian-Todorov theorem as well as its variant for pairs of a log Calabi-Yau space $f_0\colon X_0 \to S_0$ and a line bundle $\mathcal{L}_0$ on $X_0$.

Tue, 21 Jan 2025
15:30
L4

Deformations and lifts of Calabi-Yau varieties in characteristic p

Lukas Brantner
(Oxford)
Abstract

Derived algebraic geometry allows us to study formal moduli problems via their tangent Lie algebras. After briefly reviewing this general paradigm, I will explain how it sheds light on deformations of Calabi-Yau varieties. 
In joint work with Taelman, we prove a mixed characteristic analogue of the Bogomolov–Tian–Todorov theorem, which asserts that Calabi-Yau varieties in characteristic $0$ are unobstructed. Moreover, we show that ordinary Calabi–Yau varieties in characteristic $p$ admit canonical (and algebraisable) lifts to characteristic $0$, generalising results of Serre-Tate for abelian varieties and Deligne-Nygaard for K3 surfaces. 
If time permits, I will conclude by discussing some intriguing questions related to our canonical lifts.  
 

Tue, 30 May 2017

15:45 - 16:45
L4

Symmetries in monotone Lagrangian Floer theory

Jack Smith
(Cambridge)
Abstract

Lagrangian Floer cohomology groups are extremely hard compute in most situations. In this talk I’ll describe two ways to extract information about the self-Floer cohomology of a monotone Lagrangian possessing certain kinds of symmetry, based on the closed-open string map and the Oh spectral sequence. The focus will be on a particular family of examples, where the techniques can be combined to deduce some unusual properties.

Tue, 23 May 2017

15:45 - 16:45
L4

On Short Time Existence of Lagrangian Mean Curvature Flow

Tom Begley
(Cambridge)
Abstract

The goal of this talk will be to give an overview of recent work, joint with Kim Moore, on a short time existence problem in Lagrangian mean curvature flow. More specifically, we consider a compact initial Lagrangian submanifold with a finite number of singularities, each asymptotic to a pair of transversely intersecting planes. We show it is possible to construct a smooth Lagrangian mean curvature flow, existing for positive times, that attains the singular Lagrangian as its initial condition in a suitable weak sense.  The construction uses a family of smooth solutions whose initial conditions approximate the singular Lagrangian. In order to appeal to compactness theorems and produce the desired solution, it is necessary to first establish uniform curvature estimates on the approximating family. As time allows I hope to focus in particular on the proof of these estimates, and their role in the proof of the main theorem.

Tue, 16 May 2017

15:45 - 16:45
L4

Uniruling of symplectic quotients of coisotropic submanifolds

Tobias Sodoge
(UCL)
Abstract


Coisotropic submanifolds arise naturally in symplectic geometry as level sets of moment maps and in algebraic geometry in the context of normal crossing divisors. In examples, the Marsden-Weinstein quotient or (Fano) complete intersections are often uniruled. 
We show that under natural geometric assumptions on a coisotropic submanifold, the symplectic quotient of the coisotropic is always geometrically uniruled. 
I will explain how to assign a Lagrangian and a hypersurface to a fibered, stable coisotropic C. The Lagrangian inherits a fibre bundle structure from C, the hypersurface captures the generalised Reeb dynamics on C. To derive the result, we then adapt and apply techniques from Lagrangian Floer theory and symplectic field theory.
This is joint work with Jonny Evans.
 

Tue, 09 May 2017

15:45 - 16:45
L4

Limits of Yang-Mills alpha-connections

Casey Lynn Kelleher
(UC Irvine)
Abstract
In the spirit of recent work of Lamm, Malchiodi and Micallef in the setting of harmonic maps, we identify Yang-Mills connections obtained by approximations with respect to the Yang-Mills alpha-energy. More specifically, we show that for the SU(2) Hopf fibration over the four sphere, for sufficiently small alpha values the rotation invariant ADHM connection is the unique alpha-critical point which has Yang-Mills alpha-energy lower than a specific threshold.
Tue, 02 May 2017

15:45 - 16:45
L4

Gopakumar-Vafa type invariants for Calabi-Yau 4-folds

Yalong Cao
(Oxford)
Abstract
As an analogy of Gopakumar-Vafa conjecture for CY 3-folds, Klemm-Pandharipande proposed GV type invariants on CY 4-folds using GW theory and conjectured their integrality. In this talk, we propose a sheaf theoretical interpretation to these invariants using Donaldson-Thomas theory on CY 4-folds. This is a joint work with Davesh Maulik and Yukinobu Toda.
Thu, 09 Mar 2017

16:00 - 17:00
L2

(COW seminar) Gopakumar-Vafa invariants via vanishing cycles

Davesh Maulik
(MIT)
Abstract

Given a Calabi-Yau threefold X, one can count curves on X using various approaches, for example using stable maps or ideal sheaves; for any curve class on X, this produces an infinite sequence of invariants, indexed by extra discrete data (e.g. by the domain genus of a stable map).  Conjecturally, however, this sequence is determined by only a finite number of integer invariants, known as Gopakumar-Vafa invariants.  In this talk, I will propose a direct definition of these invariants via sheaves of vanishing cycles, building on earlier approaches of Kiem-Li and Hosono-Saito-Takahashi.  Conjecturally, these should agree with the invariants as defined by stable maps.  I will also explain how to prove the conjectural correspondence for irreducible curves on local surfaces.  This is joint work with Yukinobu Toda.

Thu, 09 Mar 2017

14:30 - 15:30
L4

(COW seminar) Strange duality on abelian surfaces

Barbara Bolognese
Abstract

With the purpose of examining some relevant geometric properties of the moduli space of sheaves over an algebraic surface, Le Potier conjectured some unexpected duality between the complete linear series of certain natural divisors, called Theta divisors, on the moduli space. Such conjecture is widely known as Strange Duality conjecture. After having motivated the problem by looking at certain instances of quantization in physics, we will work in the setting of surfaces. We will then sketch the proof in the case of abelian surfaces, giving an idea of the techniques that are used. In particular, we will show how the theory of discrete Heisenberg groups and fiber wise Fourier-Mukai transforms, which might be applied to other cases of interest, enter the picture. This is joint work with Alina Marian, Dragos Opera and Kota Yoshioka.

Tue, 07 Mar 2017
15:45
L4

Local cohomology and canonical stratification

Vidit Nanda
(Oxford)
Abstract

Every finite regular CW complex is, ipso facto, a cohomologically stratified space when filtered by skeleta. We outline a method to recover the canonical (i.e., coarsest possible) stratification of such a complex that is compatible with its underlying cell structure. Our construction proceeds by first localizing and then resolving a complex of cosheaves which capture local cohomology at every cell. The result is a sequence of categories whose limit recovers the desired strata via its (isomorphism classes of) objects. As a bonus, we observe that the entire process is algorithmic and amenable to efficient computations!

Tue, 28 Feb 2017

15:45 - 16:45

Tropical compactifications, Mori Dream Spaces and Minkowski bases

Elisa Postinghel
(Loughborough University)
Abstract

Given a Mori Dream Space X, we construct via tropicalisation a model dominating all the small Q-factorial modifications of X. Via this construction we recover a Minkowski basis for the Newton-Okounkov bodies of Cartier divisors on X and hence generators of the movable cone of X. 
This is joint work with Stefano Urbinati.