Eisenbud Lecture Series in Mathematics and Physics
| The Eisenbud Lecture Series is funded by a generous bequest to Brandeis University from Leonard and Ruth-Jean Eisenbud. The lecture series will be given annually at Brandeis by a distinguished mathematician or physicist. The inaugural series will take place March 27-29, 2007, and will feature Robbert Dijkgraaf of the University of Amsterdam. All lectures will be in Abelson 131. A reception will follow the talk on March 27. |
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Lecture I.
Tuesday, March 27, 4:00, with reception following the lecture
The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Physics in Modern Mathematics
Abstract: I will give a broad review of the impact of ideas from quantum field theory and string theory on modern mathematics, indicating how physical intuition can bring various mathematical disciplines together in a surprising way. I will illustrate this phenomenon with well-known examples such as knot theory and mirror symmetry, but also will indicate some more recent developments.
Lecture II.
Wednesday, March 28, 4:00
The Quantum Geometry of Topological String Theory
Abstract: Topological string theory is a powerful framework that unifies among others complex and symplectic geometry, the theory of Riemann surfaces, random matrices, and derived categories. From a physical point of view it involves gauge theory and black holes. I will indicate some of the exciting recent ideas in this field.
Lecture III.
Thursday, March 29, 4:30 **note time change**
Quantum Field Theory, D-Modules and Integrable Systems.
Abstract: There is a well-established relation between two-dimensional conformal field theories, algebraic curves and integrable systems. There is also a natural non-commutative version of this story that involves D-modules and that naturally leads to the classes of tau-functions that appear in string theory.