Lorentz Center Conference on KK-Theory, Gauge Theory, and Topological Phases

Trustees Of Boston University, Boston

Investigators

Abstract

Award: DMS 1664597, Principal Investigator: Steven Rosenberg This award provides partial support for participation by U.S.-based mathematicians at an international school and workshop in mathematics related to topological phases of matter to be held in Leiden, the Netherlands, on February 27 - March 10, 2017. Remarkable phenomena of current interest in condensed matter physics have been described as new phases or properties of material systems, subject to rules specified by sophisticated mathematical structures. This international meeting will include a one-week school to give junior participants background in the mathematics and physics of the area and a second-week workshop of advanced research talks. The conference aims to spark collaborations between researchers of varied backgrounds and to enhance the contributions of the mathematics of K- and KK-theory (Kasparov's bivariant K-theory) to the subject. Few researchers have background in all three topics of the workshop (gauge theory, Kasparov KK-theory, and topological phases of matter), so this interdisciplinary conference aims to be of benefit to all of these communities. Recent developments in KK-theory and noncommutative geometry, such as a constructive approach to the Kasparov product, seem relevant to current condensed matter physics. Related mathematical topics on which discussions are expected include correspondences in KK-theory, boundary issues, new methods in gauge theory, applications to index theory.