Tue, 10 May 2022

10:00 - 12:00
L3

Regularity Theory of Spaces with Lower Ricci Curvature Bounds

Daniele Semola
(Oxford University)
Further Information

Aimed at: people interested on Geometric Analysis, Geometric Measure Theory and regularity theory in Partial Differential Equations.

Prerequisites: Riemannian and Differential Geometry, Metric spaces, basic knowledge of Partial Differential Equations.


Outline of the course:

  • Lecture 1:
    • Quick introduction to non-smooth spaces with lower Ricci curvature bounds [1, 23, 20, 17];
    • Basic properties of spaces with lower Ricci bounds: Bishop-Gromov inequality and doubling metric measure spaces, Bochner’s inequality, splitting theorem [19, 22];
    • Convergence and stability: Gromov-Hausdorff convergence, Gromov pre-compactness theorem, stability and tangent cones [19, 22];
  • Lecture 2:
    • Functional form of the splitting theorem via splitting maps;
    • δ-splitting maps and almost splitting theorem [5, 7];
    • Definition of metric measure cone, stability of RCD property for cones [16];
    • Functional form of the volume cone implies metric cone [12];
    • Almost volume cone implies almost metric cone via stability.
  • Lecture 3:
    • Maximal function type arguments;
    • Existence of Euclidean tangents;
    • Rectifiability and uniqueness of tangents at regular points [18];
    • Volume convergence [9, 13];
    • Tangent cones are metric cones on noncollapsed spaces [5, 6, 13].
  • Lecture 4:
    • Euclidean volume rigidity [9, 6, 13];
    • ε-regularity and classical Reifenberg theorem [6, 15, 7];
    • Harmonic functions on metric measure cones, frequency and separation of variables [7];
    • Transformation theorem for splitting maps [7];
    • Proof of canonical Reifenberg theorem via harmonic splitting maps [7].
  • Lecture 5:
    • Regular and singular sets [6, 13];
    • Stratification of singular sets [6, 13];
    • Examples of singular behaviours [10, 11];
    • Hausdorff dimension bounds via Federer’s dimension reduction [6, 13];
    • Quantitative stratification of singular sets [8];
    • An introduction to quantitative differentiation [3];
    • Cone splitting principle [8];
    • Quantitative singular sets and Minkowski content bounds [8].
  • Lecture 6:
    • The aim of this lecture is to give an introduction to the most recent developments of the regularity theory for non collapsed Ricci limit spaces. We will introduce the notion of neck region in this context and then outline how they have been used to prove rectifiability of singular sets in any codimension for non collapsed Ricci limit spaces by Cheeger-Jiang-Naber [7].
Abstract

The aim of this course is to give an introduction to the regularity theory of non-smooth spaces with lower bounds on the Ricci Curvature. This is a quickly developing field with motivations coming from classical questions in Riemannian and differential geometry and with connections to Probability, Geometric Measure Theory and Partial Differential Equations.


In the lectures we will focus on the non collapsed case, where much sharper results are available, mainly adopting the synthetic approach of the RCD theory, rather than following the original proofs.


The techniques used in this setting have been applied successfully in the study of Minimal surfaces, Elliptic PDEs, Mean curvature flow and Ricci flow and the course might be of interest also for people working in these subjects.

Tue, 03 May 2022

10:00 - 12:00
L3

Regularity Theory of Spaces with Lower Ricci Curvature Bounds

Daniele Semola
(Oxford University)
Further Information

Aimed at: people interested on Geometric Analysis, Geometric Measure Theory and regularity theory in Partial Differential Equations.

Prerequisites: Riemannian and Differential Geometry, Metric spaces, basic knowledge of Partial Differential Equations.


Outline of the course:

  • Lecture 1:
    • Quick introduction to non-smooth spaces with lower Ricci curvature bounds [1, 23, 20, 17];
    • Basic properties of spaces with lower Ricci bounds: Bishop-Gromov inequality and doubling metric measure spaces, Bochner’s inequality, splitting theorem [19, 22];
    • Convergence and stability: Gromov-Hausdorff convergence, Gromov pre-compactness theorem, stability and tangent cones [19, 22];
  • Lecture 2:
    • Functional form of the splitting theorem via splitting maps;
    • δ-splitting maps and almost splitting theorem [5, 7];
    • Definition of metric measure cone, stability of RCD property for cones [16];
    • Functional form of the volume cone implies metric cone [12];
    • Almost volume cone implies almost metric cone via stability.
  • Lecture 3:
    • Maximal function type arguments;
    • Existence of Euclidean tangents;
    • Rectifiability and uniqueness of tangents at regular points [18];
    • Volume convergence [9, 13];
    • Tangent cones are metric cones on noncollapsed spaces [5, 6, 13].
  • Lecture 4:
    • Euclidean volume rigidity [9, 6, 13];
    • ε-regularity and classical Reifenberg theorem [6, 15, 7];
    • Harmonic functions on metric measure cones, frequency and separation of variables [7];
    • Transformation theorem for splitting maps [7];
    • Proof of canonical Reifenberg theorem via harmonic splitting maps [7].
  • Lecture 5:
    • Regular and singular sets [6, 13];
    • Stratification of singular sets [6, 13];
    • Examples of singular behaviours [10, 11];
    • Hausdorff dimension bounds via Federer’s dimension reduction [6, 13];
    • Quantitative stratification of singular sets [8];
    • An introduction to quantitative differentiation [3];
    • Cone splitting principle [8];
    • Quantitative singular sets and Minkowski content bounds [8].
  • Lecture 6:
    • The aim of this lecture is to give an introduction to the most recent developments of the regularity theory for non collapsed Ricci limit spaces. We will introduce the notion of neck region in this context and then outline how they have been used to prove rectifiability of singular sets in any codimension for non collapsed Ricci limit spaces by Cheeger-Jiang-Naber [7].
Abstract

The aim of this course is to give an introduction to the regularity theory of non-smooth spaces with lower bounds on the Ricci Curvature. This is a quickly developing field with motivations coming from classical questions in Riemannian and differential geometry and with connections to Probability, Geometric Measure Theory and Partial Differential Equations.


In the lectures we will focus on the non collapsed case, where much sharper results are available, mainly adopting the synthetic approach of the RCD theory, rather than following the original proofs.


The techniques used in this setting have been applied successfully in the study of Minimal surfaces, Elliptic PDEs, Mean curvature flow and Ricci flow and the course might be of interest also for people working in these subjects.

Fri, 05 Nov 2021
16:00
N3.12

Holographic Duals of Argyres-Douglas Theories

Federico Bonetti
(Oxford University)
Further Information

This seminar will only be in person.

Abstract

Superconformal field theories (SCFTs) of Argyres-Dougles type are inherently strongly coupled and provide a window onto remarkable non-perturbative phenomena (such as mutually non-local massless dyons and relevant Coulomb branch operators of fractional dimension). I am going to discuss the first explicit proposal for the holographic duals of a class of SCFTs of Argyres-Douglas type. The theories under examination are realised by a stack of M5-branes wrapped on a sphere with one irregular puncture and one regular puncture. In the dual 11d supergravity solutions, the irregular puncture is realised as an internal M5-brane source.

Fri, 19 Nov 2021
16:00
N4.01

Symmetries and Completeness in EFT and Gravity

Jake McNamara
(Harvard)
Further Information

It is also possible to join online via Zoom.

Abstract

We discuss the formal relationship between the absence of global symmetries and completeness, both in effective field theory and in quantum gravity. In effective field theory, we must broaden our notion of symmetry to include non-invertible topological operators. However, in gravity, the story is simplified as the result of charged gravitational solitons.

Thu, 18 Nov 2021
14:00
L6

Mock Modular Forms

Palash Singh
((Oxford University))
Further Information

Junior strings is a seminar series where DPhil students present topics of common interest that do not necessarily overlap with their own research areas. This is primarily aimed at PhD students and post-docs but everyone is welcome.

Thu, 11 Nov 2021
14:00
L3

Higher Form Symmetries: Part 2

Dewi Gould
((Oxford University))
Further Information

Junior strings is a seminar series where DPhil students present topics of common interest that do not necessarily overlap with their own research areas. This is primarily aimed at PhD students and post-docs but everyone is welcome.

Thu, 04 Nov 2021
14:00
L6

Higher Form Symmetries: Part 1

Mateo Galdeano
((Oxford University))
Further Information

Junior strings is a seminar series where DPhil students present topics of comment interest that do not necessarily overlap with their own research areas. This is primarly aimed at PhD students and post-docs but everyone is welcome.

Tue, 02 Nov 2021
12:00
L5

Worldsheet description of Kerr interactions

Alex Ochirov
(Oxford)
Abstract

The recent progress of applying QFT methods to classical GR has provided a new perspective on the Kerr black hole solution. Its leading gravitational interactions are known to involve an infinite tower of spin-induced multipoles with unit coupling constants. In this talk, I will present a novel form of the classical worldline action that implements these multipole interactions within a single worldsheet integral, which is inspired by the Newman-Janis shift relationship of the Kerr and Schwarzschild solutions. I will also discuss connections to our recently discovered ability to model such interactions using a certain family of scattering amplitudes, as well as a simple double-copy property hidden within. 

This will be an in-person seminar run in hybrid mode.

Tue, 15 Feb 2022
12:00
Virtual

Gravitational entropy and the flatness, homogeneity and isotropy puzzles

Neil Turok
(University of Edinburgh and Perimeter Institute)
Abstract

I’ll review a new, simpler explanation for the large-scale properties of the
cosmos, presented with L. Boyle in our recent preprint arXiv:2201.07279. The
basic ingredients are elementary and well-known, namely Einstein’s theory of
gravity and Hawking’s method of computing gravitational entropy. The new
twist is provided by the boundary conditions we proposed for big bang-type
singularities, allowing conformal zeros but imposing CPT symmetry and

analyticity at the bang. These boundary conditions, which have significant
overlap with Penrose’s Weyl curvature hypothesis, allow gravitational
instantons for universes with Lambda, massless radiation and space
curvature, of either sign, from which we are able to infer a gravitational
entropy. We find the gravitational entropy can exceed the de Sitter entropy
and that, to the extent that it does, the most probable large-scale geometry
for the universe is flat, homogeneous and isotropic. I will briefly
summarise our earlier work showing how the gauge-fermion Lagrangian of the
standard model may be reconciled with Weyl symmetry and a small cosmological
constant, at leading order, provided there are precisely three generations
of fermions. The same mechanism generates scale-invariant primordial
perturbations. The cosmic dark matter consists of a right-handed neutrino.
In summary, we have taken significant steps towards a new, highly principled
and testable theory of cosmology.

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