An Application of Homotopy Theory to Condensed Matter Physics

Speaker: Daniel Freed

Date: Mon, Sep 16, 2019 to Tue, Sep 17, 2019

Location: PIMS, University of Saskachewan

Conference: Peter Scherk Lecture in Geometry

Subject: Mathematics

Class: Scientific

Abstract:

The classification of phases of matter is a topic of much current interest. While descriptions of quantum mechanical systems often use discrete lattice models, one can typically approximate by continuous field theories. There is a well-developed mathematical framework for studying field theories, and this brings powerful techniques to the table. In this general talk, I will describe joint work with Mike Hopkins (Harvard) in which we carry out this scheme for invertible phases of matter and deduce the classification in terms of bordism groups of manifolds. Much of the talk will focus on general ideas at an elementary level.