Thu, 22 May 2025

11:00 - 12:00
C5

Modal group theory

Wojciech Wołoszyn
(University of Oxford)
Abstract

I introduce modal group theory, where one investigates the class of all groups using embeddability as a modal operator. By employing HNN extensions, I demonstrate that the modal language of groups is more expressive than the first-order language of groups. Furthermore, I establish that the theory of true arithmetic, viewed as sets of Gödel numbers, is computably isomorphic to the modal theory of finitely presented groups. Finally, I resolve an open question posed by Sören Berger, Alexander Block, and Benedikt Löwe by proving that the propositional modal validities of groups constitute precisely the modal logic S4.2.

Thu, 19 Jun 2025

11:00 - 12:00
C5

30 years since the Galois characterisation of ℚₚ — Part II.

Benedikt Stock
(University of Oxford)
Abstract

Building on Leo’s talk last week, I will present the full Galois characterisation of henselianity and introduce some of the ‘explicit’ ingredients he referred to during his presentation. In particular, I will describe a Galois cohomology-inspired criterion for distinguishing between different characteristics. I will then outline the full proof of the Galois characterisation of p-adically closed fields, indicating how each of the ingredients enters the argument.

Thu, 12 Jun 2025

11:00 - 12:00
C5

30 years since the Galois characterisation of ℚₚ — Part I

Leo Gitin
(University of Oxford)
Abstract

The absolute Galois group of ℚₚ determines its field structure: a field K is p-adically closed if and only if its absolute Galois group is isomorphic to that of ℚₚ. This Galois-theoretic characterisation was proved by Koenigsmann in 1995, building on previous work by Arason, Elman, Jacob, Ware, and Pop. Similar results were obtained by Efrat and further developed in his 2006 book.

Our project aims to provide an optimal proof of this characterisation, incorporating improvements and new developments. These include a revised proof strategy; Efrat's construction of valuations via multiplicative stratification; the Galois characterisation of henselianity; systematic use of the standard decomposition; and the function field analogy of Krasner-Kazhdan-Deligne type. Moreover, we replace arguments that use Galois cohomology with elementary ones.

In this talk, I will focus on two key components of the proof: the construction of valuations from rigid elements, and the role of the function field analogy as developed via the non-standard methods of Jahnke-Kartas.

This is joint work with Jochen Koenigsmann and Benedikt Stock.

Thu, 05 Jun 2025

11:00 - 12:00
C5

Relativistically invariant wave equations in the realist theory

Tristram de Piro
Abstract
Boris Zilber showed that you can build a logical structure around the relativistic Klein-Gordon and Dirac equations from quantum field theory. I will present the parallel realist theory, favoured by Einstein, to the Copenhagen interpretation. Starting from the requirements of Rutherford's principle for atomic systems and Maxwell's equations, I will show that there exist unique relativistically invariant wave equations for charge and current, with non-vacuum solutions, which predict the proportionality in the Balmer series.
Thu, 29 May 2025

11:00 - 12:00
C5

Fields with the absolute Galois group of Q

Jochen Koenigsmann
(University of Oxford)
Abstract
This is a report on work in progress aiming to prove the conjecture that if the absolute Galois group of a field K is isomorphic to that of \Q then K admits a (possibly trivial) henselian valuation with divisible value group and residue field \Q. What I can prove is that such a field K has a unique ordering and unique p-adic valuations, and that K satisfies Cebotarev's density theorem, Kronecker-Weber, Hasse-Minkowski, quadratic reciprocity etc.
We will show that our conjecture is equivalent to the birational version of Grothendieck's Section Conjecture over \Q, and we will discuss a model theoretic strengthening of our conjecture.
Thu, 15 May 2025

11:00 - 12:00
C5

A criterion for sharpness of the Elekes-Szabó theorem in positive characteristic

Lucas Nistor
(École Normale Supérieure )
Abstract

We establish that a criterion based on ring-theoretic amenability is both necessary and sufficient for the abelian version of the Elekes-Szabó theorem to be sharp in the case of positive characteristic. Moreover, the criterion is always sufficient. We provide illustrative examples in the theories ACF_p and DCF_0.

Thu, 08 May 2025

11:00 - 12:00
C5

Simplicial reformulations of basic notions in model theory

Misha Gavrilovich
Abstract

We shall explain how to represent a couple of basic notions in model theory by standard simplicial diagrams from homotopy theory. Namely, we shall see that the notions of a {definable/invariant type}, {convergence}, and {contractibility} are defined by the same simplicial formula, and so are that of a {complete E-M type} and an {idempotent of an oo-category}.  The first reformulation makes precise Hrushovski's point of view that a definable/invariant type is an operation on types rather than a property of a type depending on the choice of a model, and suggests a notion of a type over a {space} of parameters. The second involves the nerve of the category with a single idempotent non-identity morphism, and leads to a reformulation of {non-dividing} somewhat similar to that of lifting idempotents in an oo-category. If time permits, I shall also present simplicial reformulations of distality, NIP, and simplicity.

We do so by associating with a theory the simplicial set of its n-types, n>0. This simplicial set, or rather its symmetrisation, appeared earlier in model theory under the names of {type structure}  (M.Morley. Applications of topology to Lw1w. 1974), {type category} (R.Knight, Topological Spaces and Scattered Theories. 2007), {type space functors} (Haykazyan. Spaces of Types in Positive Model Theory. 2019; M.Kamsma. Type space functors and interpretations in positive logic. 2022).

Thu, 01 May 2025

11:00 - 12:00
C5

Introduction to Arakelov theory

Michał Szachniewicz
(University of Oxford)
Abstract

I will talk about preliminaries in Arakelov geometry. Also, a historical overview will be provided. This talk will be the basis of a later talk about the theory of globally valued fields.

Thu, 13 Feb 2025

11:00 - 12:00
C5

Around Siu inequality

Michał Szachniewicz
(University of Oxford)
Abstract

I will talk about the connections between the Siu inequality and existence of the model companion for GVFs. The talk will be partially based on a joint work with Antoine Sedillot.

Thu, 27 Feb 2025

11:00 - 12:00
C5

n-ampleness and pseudobuildings

Silke Meißner
(University of Münster)
Abstract
Zilber showed that a strongly minimal theory is 1-ample if and only if it interprets a pseudoplane. We will see a generalisation of this result to n-ample theories and define the notion of a pseudobuilding. This is joint work in progress with Katrin Tent.
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