Fri, 26 Feb 2021

14:00 - 15:00
Virtual

Fusion Systems and Rank 2 Amalgams

Martin van Beek
(University of Birmingham)
Abstract

Saturated fusion systems capture and abstract conjugacy in $p$-subgroups of finite groups and have recently found application in finite group theory, representation theory and algebraic topology. In this talk, we describe a situation in which we may identify a rank $2$ amalgam within $\mathcal{F}$ and, using some local group theoretic techniques, completely determine $\mathcal{F}$ up to isomorphism.

Fri, 05 Feb 2021

14:00 - 15:00
Virtual

Presheaves on buildings and computing modular representations

Mark Butler
(University of Birmingham)
Abstract

Buildings are geometric structures useful in understanding certain classes of groups. In a series of papers written during the 1980s, Ronan and Smith developed the theory of “presheaves on buildings”. By constructing a coefficient system consisting of kP-modules (where P is the stabiliser of a given simplex), and computing the sheaf homology, they proved several results relating the homology spaces with the irreducible G-modules. In this talk we discuss their methods as well as our implementation of the algorithms, which has allowed us to efficiently compute the irreducible representations of some groups of Lie type.

Thu, 26 Oct 2017
12:00
L4

The Cauchy problem for the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation in BMO and self-similar solutions

Susana Gutierrez
(University of Birmingham)
Abstract

The Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation (LLG) is a continuum model describing the dynamics for the spin in ferromagnetic materials. In the first part of this talk we describe our work concerning the properties and dynamical behaviour of the family of self-similar solutions under the one-dimensional LLG-equation.  Motivated by the properties of this family of self-similar solutions, in the second part of this talk we consider the Cauchy problem for the LLG-equation with Gilbert damping and provide a global well-posedness result provided that the BMO norm of the initial data is small.  Several consequences of this result will be also given.

Tue, 07 Feb 2017
14:15
L4

Modular W-algebras and reduced enveloping algebras

Simon Goodwin
(University of Birmingham)
Abstract

We give an overview of joint work with Lewis Topley on modular W-algebras. In particular, we outline the classification 1-dimensional modules for modular W-algebras for gl_n, which in turn this leads to a classification of minimal dimensional modules for reduced enveloping algebras for gl_n.

Tue, 24 Nov 2015
14:30
L6

Dirac's Theorem for Hypergraphs

Jie Han
(University of Birmingham)
Abstract

Cycles are fundamental objects in graph theory. A spanning cycle in a graph is also called a Hamiltonian cycle. The celebrated Dirac's Theorem in 1952 shows that every graph on $n\ge 3$ vertices with minimum degree at least $n/2$ contains a Hamiltonian cycle. In recent years, there has been a strong focus on extending Dirac’s Theorem to hypergraphs. We survey the results along the line and mention some recent progress on this problem. Joint work with Yi Zhao.

Tue, 27 Oct 2015
14:30
L6

Density methods for partition regularity

Ben Barber
(University of Birmingham)
Abstract

A system of linear equations with integer coefficients is partition regular if, whenever the natural numbers are finitely coloured, there is a monochromatic solution. The finite partition regular systems were completely characterised by Rado in terms of a simple property of their matrix of coefficients. As a result, finite partition regular systems are very well understood.

Much less is known about infinite systems. In fact, only a very few families of infinite partition regular systems are known. I'll explain a relatively new method of constructing infinite partition regular systems, and describe how it has been applied to settle some basic questions in the area.

Tue, 28 Apr 2015
14:30
L6

Decompositions of large graphs into small subgraphs

Deryk Osthus
(University of Birmingham)
Abstract

A fundamental theorem of Wilson states that, for every graph $F$, every sufficiently large $F$-divisible clique has an $F$-decomposition. Here $G$ has an $F$-decomposition if the edges of $G$ can be covered by edge-disjoint copies of $F$ (and $F$-divisibility is a trivial necessary condition for this). We extend Wilson's theorem to graphs which are allowed to be far from complete (joint work with B. Barber, D. Kuhn, A. Lo).


I will also discuss some results and open problems on decompositions of dense graphs and hypergraphs into Hamilton cycles and perfect matchings.

Tue, 04 Mar 2014

17:00 - 18:00
C5

Maximal subgroups of exceptional groups of Lie type and morphisms of algebraic groups

Dr David Craven
(University of Birmingham)
Abstract

The maximal subgroups of the exceptional groups of Lie type

have been studied for many years, and have many applications, for

example in permutation group theory and in generation of finite

groups. In this talk I will survey what is currently known about the

maximal subgroups of exceptional groups, and our recent work on this

topic. We explore the connection with extending morphisms from finite

groups to algebraic groups.

Wed, 06 Jun 2012

16:00 - 17:30
L3

A space that admits all possible orbit spectra of homeomorphisms of uncountable compact metric spaces

Chris Good
(University of Birmingham)
Abstract

Joint work with: Sina Greenwood, Brian Raines and Casey Sherman

Abstract: We say a space $X$ with property $\C P$ is \emph{universal} for orbit spectra of homeomorphisms with property $\C P$ provided that if $Y$ is any space with property $\C P$ and the same cardinality as $X$ and $h:Y\to Y$ is any (auto)homeomorphism then there is a homeomorphism$g:X\to X$ such that the orbit equivalence classes for $h$ and $g$ are isomorphic. We construct a compact metric space $X$ that is universal for homeomorphisms of compact metric spaces of cardinality the continuum. There is no universal space for countable compact metric spaces. In the presence of some set theoretic assumptions we also give a separable metric space of size continuum that is universal for homeomorphisms on separable metric spaces.

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