Mon, 28 Apr 2014

12:00 - 13:00
L5

The Moduli Space of N=1 Supersymmetric Heterotic Compactifications

Xenia de la Ossa
(Oxford)
Abstract
We describe the tangent space to the moduli space of heterotic string theory compactifications which preserve N=1 supersymmetry in four dimensions, that is, the infinitesimal parameter space of the Strominger system. We establish that if we promote a connection on TX to a field, the moduli space corresponds to deformations of a holomorphic structure \bar{D} on a bundle Q. The bundle Q is constructed as an extension by the cotangent bundle T^*X of the bundle E= End(V) \oplus End(TX) \oplus TX with an extension class {\cal H} which precisely enforces the anomaly cancelation condition. The deformations corresponding to the bundle E are simultaneous deformations of the holomorphic structures on the poly-stable bundles V and TX together with those of the complex structure of X. We discuss the fact that the ``moduli'' corresponding to End(TX) cannot be physical, but are however needed in our mathematical structure to be able to enforce the anomaly cancelation condition. This is work done in collaboration with Eirik Svanes.
Tue, 27 May 2014

15:45 - 16:45
L4

The geometry of auctions and competitive equilibrium with indivisible goods

Elizabeth Baldwin
(Oxford)
Abstract

Auctioneers may wish to sell related but different indivisible goods in

a single process. To develop such techniques, we study the geometry of

how an agent's demanded bundle changes as prices change. This object

is the convex-geometric object known as a `tropical hypersurface'.

Moreover, simple geometric properties translate directly to economic

properties, providing a new taxonomy for economic valuations. When

considering multiple agents, we study the unions and intersections of

the corresponding tropical hypersurfaces; in particular, properties of

the intersection are deeply related to whether competitive equilibrium

exists or fails. This leads us to new results and generalisations of

existing results on equilibrium existence. The talk will provide an

introductory tour to relevant economics to show the context of these

applications of tropical geometry. This is joint work with Paul

Klemperer.

Wed, 12 Mar 2014

16:00 - 17:00
C6

Property (T) for SL<sub>n</sub>(&#8484;)

Henry Bradford
(Oxford)
Abstract
Kazhdan's Property (T) is a powerful property of groups, with many useful consequences. Probably the best known examples of groups with (T) are higher rank lattices. In this talk I will provide a proof that for n ≥ 3, SLn(ℤ) has (T). A nice feature of the approach I will follow is that it works entirely within the world of discrete groups: this is in contrast to the classical method, which relies on being able to embed a group as a lattice in an ambient Lie group.
Mon, 03 Mar 2014
14:00
C6

Generalised metrisable spaces and the normal Moore space conjecture

Robert Leek
(Oxford)
Abstract

We will introduce a few class of generalised metrisable

properties; that is, properties that hold of all metrisable spaces that

can be used to generalise results and are in some sense 'close' to

metrisability. In particular, we will discuss Moore spaces and the

independence of the normal Moore space conjecture - Is every normal

Moore space metrisable?

Wed, 26 Feb 2014

16:00 - 17:00
C6

Volumes of representations of 3-manifold groups.

Claudio Llosa Isenrich
(Oxford)
Abstract

In some of their recent work Derbez and Wang studied volumes of representations of 3-manifold groups into the Lie groups $$Iso_e \widetilde{SL_2(\mathbb{R})} \mbox{ and }PSL(2,\mathbb{C}).$$ They computed the set of all volumes of representations for a fixed prime closed oriented 3-manifold with $$\widetilde{SL_2(\mathbb{R})}\mbox{-geometry}$$ and used this result to compute some volumes of Graph manifolds after passing to finite coverings.

In the talk I will give a brief introduction to the theory of volumes of representations and state some of Derbez' and Wang's results. Then I will prove an additivity formula for volumes of representations into $$Iso_e \widetilde{SL_2(\mathbb{R})}$$ which enables us to improve some of the results of Derbez and Wang.

Mon, 24 Feb 2014
14:00
C6

Elementary submodels in topology

Richard Lupton
(Oxford)
Abstract

We explore the technique of elementary submodels to prove 
results in topology and set theory. We will in particular prove the 
delta system lemma, and Arhangelskii's result that a first countable 
Lindelof space has cardinality not exceeding continuum.

Wed, 19 Feb 2014

16:00 - 17:00
C6

Embedding symplectic manifolds in comlpex projective space

Manuel Araújo
(Oxford)
Abstract

I will explain why one can symplectically embed closed symplectic manifolds (with integral symplectic form) into CPn and compute the weak homotopy type of the space of all symplectic embeddings of such a symplectic manifold into CP.

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