US-France Cooperative Research: Discrete Groups, Representation Varieties, and CR-Geometry

Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD

Investigators

Abstract

0232724 Wentworth This three-year award for U.S.-France collaboration in mathematics involves Richard A. Wentworth at Johns Hopkins University and Elisha Falbel at the University of Paris VI. The objective of this project is a concentrated collaborative research effort in the area of discrete groups and geometrical analysis of low dimensional manifolds. They will study representation of surface groups in U (n) and the deformation theory and rigidity issues of spherical CR manifolds. The U.S. investigator brings to this collaboration expertise in the geometrical analytic aspects of representations of surface groups. This is complemented by French expertise in CR manifolds, discrete groups and their deformations. This award represents the U.S. side of a joint proposal to the NSF and the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS). NSF will cover travel funds and living expenses for the U.S. investigator and graduate student. The CNRS will support the visits of the French researcher and student to the United States. U.S. and French graduate students will benefit from the international approach to research and international exposure for their work.