Mon, 24 Apr 2017

14:15 - 15:15
L4

Soliton resolution conjecture

Roland Grinis
(Oxford)
Abstract

We will give an overview of the Soliton Resolution Conjecture, focusing mainly on the Wave Maps Equation. This is a program about understanding the formation of singularities for a variety of critical hyperbolic/dispersive equations, and stands as a remarkable topic of research in modern PDE theory and Mathematical Physics. We will be presenting our contributions to this field, elaborating on the required background, as well as discussing some of the latest results by various authors.

Mon, 15 May 2017

14:15 - 15:15
L4

Higgs bundles, Lagrangians and mirror symmetry.

Lucas Branco
(Oxford)
Abstract

The moduli space M(G) of Higgs bundles for a complex reductive group G on a compact Riemann surface carries a natural hyperkahler structure and it comes equipped with an algebraically completely integrable system through a flat projective morphism called the Hitchin map. Motivated by mirror symmetry, I will discuss certain complex Lagrangians (BAA-branes) in M(G) coming from real forms of G and give a proposal for the mirror (BBB-brane) in the moduli space of Higgs bundles for the Langlands dual group of G.  In this talk, I will focus on the real groups SU^*(2m), SO^*(4m) and Sp(m,m). The image under the Hitchin map of Higgs bundles for these groups is completely contained in the discriminant locus of the base and our analysis is carried out by describing the whole
(singular) fibres they intersect. These turn out to be certain subvarieties of the moduli space of rank 1 torsion-free sheaves on a non-reduced curve. If time permits we will also discuss another class of complex Lagrangians in M(G) which can be constructed from symplectic representations of G.

 

Thu, 16 Mar 2017

14:30 - 15:30
L5

"Algebraically closed fields of characteristic 1."

Boris Zilber
(Oxford)
Abstract

 I will start with a motivation of what algebraic and model-theoretic properties an algebraically closed field of characteristic 1 is expected to have. Then I will explain how these properties forces one to follow the route of Hrushovski's construction leading to a a 'pseudo-analytic' structure which we identify as an algebraically closed field of characteristic 1 . Then I am able to formulate very precise axioms that such a field must satisfy.  The main theorem then states that under the axioms the structure has the desired algebraic and analytic properties. The axioms have a form of statements about existence of solutions to systems of equations in terms of a 'multi-dimensional' valuation theory and the validity of these statements is an open problem to be discussed. 
This is a joint work with Alex Cruz Morales.
 

Thu, 16 Mar 2017

12:00 - 13:00
L5

"Analytic geometry over the field with one element"

Yakov Kremnitzer
(Oxford)
Abstract

1.Kremnitzer. I will explain an approach to constructing geometries relative to a symmetric monoidal 
category. I will then introduce the category of normed sets as a possible analytic geometry over 
the field with one element. I will show that the Fargues-Fontaine curve from p-adic Hodge theory and 
the Connes-Bost system are naturally interpreted in this geometry. This is joint work with Federico Bambozzi and 
Oren Ben-Bassat.
 

Tue, 07 Mar 2017
11:00
C5

Unlikely Intersections in families of elliptic curves

Laura Capuano
(Oxford)
Abstract


What makes an intersection likely or unlikely? A simple dimension count shows that two varieties of dimension r and s are non "likely" to intersect if r < codim s, unless there are some special geometrical relations among them. A series of conjectures due to Bombieri-Masser-Zannier, Zilber and Pink rely on this philosophy. I will speak about a joint work with F. Barroero (Basel) in this framework in the special case of a curve in a family of elliptic curves. The proof is based on Pila-Zannier method, combining diophantine ingredients with a refinement of a theorem of Pila and Wilkie about counting rational points in sets definable in o-minimal structures.
   Everyone welcome!
 

Thu, 02 Mar 2017
11:00
C5

A New Technique for Definability in Function Fields.

Philip Dittmann
(Oxford)
Abstract


Generalising previous definability results in global fields using
quaternion algebras, I will present a technique for first-order
definitions in finite extensions of Q(t). Applications include partial
answers to Pop's question on Isomorphism versus Elementary Equivalence,
and some results on Anscombe's and Fehm's notion of embedded residue.

Thu, 23 Feb 2017
11:00
C5

Non-reduced schemes and Zariski Geometries

Alfonso Ruiz
(Oxford)
Abstract

Using results by Eisenbud, Schoutens and Zilber I will propose a model theoretic structure that aims to capture the algebra (or geometry) of a non reduced scheme over an algebraically closed field. 

Mon, 13 Mar 2017

11:00 - 11:30
L5

Diffeomorphism-equivariant configuration spaces with twisted summable labels

Hongyun Yon
(Oxford)
Abstract

We construct the diffeomorphism-equivariant “scanning map” associated to the configuration spaces of manifolds with twisted summable labels. The scanning map is also functorial with respect to embeddings of manifolds. To adapt P. Salvatore's idea of non-commutative summation into twisted setting, we define a bundle of Fulton-MacPherson operads over a manifold M whose fibres are built within tangent spaces of M.

Mon, 27 Feb 2017
15:45
L6

From moduli spaces of manifolds to K-theory

Ulrike Tillmann
(Oxford)
Abstract

For mapping class groups of surfaces it is well-understood that their homology stability is closely related to the fact that they give rise to an infinite loop space. Indeed, they define an operad whose algebras group complete to infinite loop spaces.

In recent work with Basterra, Bobkova, Ponto and Yaekel we define operads with homology stability (OHS) more generally and prove that they are infinite loop space operads in the above sense. The strong homology stability results of Galatius and Randal-Williams for moduli spaces of manifolds can be used to construct examples of OHSs. As a consequence the map to K-theory defined by the action of the diffeomorphisms on the middle dimensional homology can be shown to be a map of infinite loop spaces.

Mon, 06 Mar 2017

12:45 - 13:45
L3

Holographic renormalization and supersymmetry

Pietro Benetti-Genolini
(Oxford)
Abstract

Localization and holography are powerful approaches to the computation of supersymmetric observables. The computations may, however, include divergences. Therefore, one needs renormalization schemes preserving supersymmetry. I will consider minimal gauged supergravity in five dimensions to demonstrate that the standard holographic renormalization scheme breaks supersymmetry, and propose a set of non-standard boundary counterterms that restore supersymmetry. I will then show that for a certain class of solutions the improved on-shell action correctly reproduces an intrinsic observable of four-dimensional SCFTs, the supersymmetric Casimir energy.

 
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