RIT on Geometry and Physics Archives for Fall 2018 to Spring 2019


Organizational meeting for F 2017

When: Thu, September 7, 2017 - 3:30pm
Where: Physics Bldg 1117
Speaker: The organizers (UMCP) -
Abstract: We will discuss possible topics for this year and a plan for approaching them. We could continue with mirror symmetry, or discuss TQFTs, or some other topic.

An introduction to topological states of matter

When: Thu, September 14, 2017 - 3:30pm
Where: Physics Bldg 1117
Speaker: Jonathan Rosenberg (UMCP) - http://math.umd.edu/~jmr
Abstract: This will be an introduction to the topic for this semester, topological states of matter. For relevant references, please see the seminar web page.

The band structure of matter

When: Thu, September 21, 2017 - 3:30pm
Where: Physics Bldg 1117
Speaker: Tristan Hubsch (Howard) - http://physics1.howard.edu/~thubsch/
Abstract: This will be a review of some basics of condensed matter theory.

The quantum Hall effect

When: Thu, September 28, 2017 - 3:30pm
Where: Physics Bldg 1117
Speaker: Ian Teixeira (UMCP)
Abstract: We will start on Tong's notes on the quantum Hall effect (QHE).

The quantum Hall effect (cont'd)

When: Thu, October 5, 2017 - 3:30pm
Where: Physics Bldg 1117
Speaker: Ian Teixeira (UMCP)
Abstract: More on Tong's notes on the quantum Hall effect (QHE).

More on the quantum hall effect

When: Thu, October 12, 2017 - 3:30pm
Where: Physics Bldg 1117
Speaker: Freddy Cisneros (UMd physics)

More on the quantum Hall effect (cont'd)

When: Thu, October 19, 2017 - 3:30pm
Where: Physics Bldg 1117
Speaker: Freddy Cisneros (UMD Physics) -


The quantum Hall effect and noncommutative geometry

When: Thu, October 26, 2017 - 3:30pm
Where: Physics Bldg 1117
Speaker: Jonathan Rosenberg (UMd Math)


The bulk-boundary correspondence

When: Thu, November 2, 2017 - 3:30pm
Where: Physics Bldg 1117
Speaker: Freddy Cisneros (UMD Physics) -


The bulk-boundary correspondence (cont'd)

When: Thu, November 9, 2017 - 3:30pm
Where: Physics Bldg 1117
Speaker: Freddy Cisneros (UMD Physics) -
Abstract: This week we will discuss edge states and how they relate to the bulk.

The quantum Hall effect from topological field theory

When: Thu, November 16, 2017 - 3:30pm
Where: Physics Bldg 1117
Speaker: Matthew Yu (UMD) -
Abstract: We will introduce the concept of a topological field theory, namely Chern-Simons theory, and describe show how some results of the quantum Hall effect can be derived from the Chern-Simons action. I will be following Tong with some additional remarks on topological field theories.

The quantum Hall effect from topological field theory (cont'd)

When: Thu, November 30, 2017 - 3:30pm
Where: Physics Bldg 1117
Speaker: Matthew Yu (UMD) -
Abstract: We will introduce the concept of a topological field theory, namely Chern-Simons theory, and describe show how some results of the quantum Hall effect can be derived from the Chern-Simons action. I will be following Tong with some additional remarks on topological field theories.

The Kane-Mele invariant

When: Thu, December 7, 2017 - 3:30pm
Where: Physics Bldg 1117
Speaker: Matt Calkins (UMD) -
Abstract: This will be related to the famous paper of C.L. Kane and E.J. Mele, Z/2 Topological order and the quantum spin Hall effect. Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 146802 (2005), arXiv:cond-mat/0506581.

Organizational meeting for the spring semester

When: Thu, January 25, 2018 - 3:30pm
Where: Physics Bldg 1117


Hitchin notes section 1

When: Thu, February 1, 2018 - 3:30pm
Where: Physics Bldg 1117
Speaker: Daniel Lay -
Abstract: We will start going through Nigel Hitchin's Lectures on Generalized Geometry, arXiv:1008.0973

Hitchin notes section 2

When: Thu, February 8, 2018 - 3:30pm
Where: Physics Bldg 1117
Speaker: Ian Teixeira -
Abstract: We will continue going through Nigel Hitchin's Lectures on Generalized Geometry, arXiv:1008.0973

Hitchin notes section 2, cont'd

When: Thu, February 15, 2018 - 3:30pm
Where: Physics Bldg 1117
Speaker: Ian Teixeira -
Abstract: More on gerbes and twists. See Hitchin's article "What is a gerbe?" at
http://www.ams.org/notices/200302/what-is.pdf for more details.

Geometry of parameter space

When: Thu, February 22, 2018 - 3:30pm
Where: Physics Bldg 1117
Speaker: Freddy Cisneros -
Abstract: We'll take a break from generalized complex Kaehler manifolds to discuss geometry of parameter spaces in quantum mechanical models. Reference: notes by Erich Mueller,
http://muellergroup.lassp.cornell.edu/Basic_Training_Spring_2014/Geometry_files/geometry.pdf

Postponed till next week

When: Thu, March 1, 2018 - 3:30pm
Where: Physics Bldg 1117


Hitchin notes section 4

When: Thu, March 8, 2018 - 3:30pm
Where: Physics Bldg 1117
Speaker: Ian Teixeira and Matthew Yu -
Abstract: We will continue going through Nigel Hitchin's Lectures on Generalized Geometry, arXiv:1008.0973. The topic this time will be generalized Kaehler manifolds.

Generalized Calabi-Yaus

When: Thu, March 29, 2018 - 3:30pm
Where: Physics Bldg 1117
Speaker: Daniel Lay, Matt Kukla

N=2 supersymmetry from generalized complex structures

When: Thu, April 5, 2018 - 3:30pm
Where: Physics Bldg 1117
Speaker: Ian Teixeira and Matthew Yu -

Mirror symmetry of elliptic curves

When: Thu, April 12, 2018 - 3:30pm
Where: Physics Bldg 1117

Speaker: Freddy Cisneros -
Reference: A remark about mirror symmetry of elliptic curves and generalized complex geometry byLeonardo Soriani Alves and Lino Grama, arXiv:1506.03665

Mirror symmetry of elliptic curves (cont)

When: Thu, April 19, 2018 - 3:30pm
Where: Physics Bldg 1117

Speaker: Freddy Cisneros

Categorical Mirror symmetry of elliptic curves

When: Thu, April 26, 2018 - 3:30pm
Where: Physics Bldg 1117

Speaker: Matt Kukla --
Abstract: See also https://arxiv.org/abs/math/9801119

Categorical Mirror symmetry of elliptic curves (cont'd)

When: Thu, May 3, 2018 - 3:30pm
Where: Physics Bldg 1117

Speaker: Matt Kukla --
Abstract: See also https://arxiv.org/abs/math/9801119