Author: Bojko Bakalov
Publisher: American Mathematical Soc.
ISBN: 0821826867
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 232
Book Description
This book gives an exposition of the relations among the following three topics: monoidal tensor categories (such as a category of representations of a quantum group), 3-dimensional topological quantum field theory, and 2-dimensional modular functors (which naturally arise in 2-dimensional conformal field theory). The following examples are discussed in detail: the category of representations of a quantum group at a root of unity and the Wess-Zumino-Witten modular functor. The idea that these topics are related first appeared in the physics literature in the study of quantum field theory. Pioneering works of Witten and Moore-Seiberg triggered an avalanche of papers, both physical and mathematical, exploring various aspects of these relations. Upon preparing to lecture on the topic at MIT, however, the authors discovered that the existing literature was difficult and that there were gaps to fill. The text is wholly expository and finely succinct. It gathers results, fills existing gaps, and simplifies some proofs. The book makes an important addition to the existing literature on the topic. It would be suitable as a course text at the advanced-graduate level.
Lectures on Tensor Categories and Modular Functors
Author: Bojko Bakalov
Publisher: American Mathematical Soc.
ISBN: 0821826867
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 232
Book Description
This book gives an exposition of the relations among the following three topics: monoidal tensor categories (such as a category of representations of a quantum group), 3-dimensional topological quantum field theory, and 2-dimensional modular functors (which naturally arise in 2-dimensional conformal field theory). The following examples are discussed in detail: the category of representations of a quantum group at a root of unity and the Wess-Zumino-Witten modular functor. The idea that these topics are related first appeared in the physics literature in the study of quantum field theory. Pioneering works of Witten and Moore-Seiberg triggered an avalanche of papers, both physical and mathematical, exploring various aspects of these relations. Upon preparing to lecture on the topic at MIT, however, the authors discovered that the existing literature was difficult and that there were gaps to fill. The text is wholly expository and finely succinct. It gathers results, fills existing gaps, and simplifies some proofs. The book makes an important addition to the existing literature on the topic. It would be suitable as a course text at the advanced-graduate level.
Publisher: American Mathematical Soc.
ISBN: 0821826867
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 232
Book Description
This book gives an exposition of the relations among the following three topics: monoidal tensor categories (such as a category of representations of a quantum group), 3-dimensional topological quantum field theory, and 2-dimensional modular functors (which naturally arise in 2-dimensional conformal field theory). The following examples are discussed in detail: the category of representations of a quantum group at a root of unity and the Wess-Zumino-Witten modular functor. The idea that these topics are related first appeared in the physics literature in the study of quantum field theory. Pioneering works of Witten and Moore-Seiberg triggered an avalanche of papers, both physical and mathematical, exploring various aspects of these relations. Upon preparing to lecture on the topic at MIT, however, the authors discovered that the existing literature was difficult and that there were gaps to fill. The text is wholly expository and finely succinct. It gathers results, fills existing gaps, and simplifies some proofs. The book makes an important addition to the existing literature on the topic. It would be suitable as a course text at the advanced-graduate level.
Tensor Categories
Author: Pavel Etingof
Publisher: American Mathematical Soc.
ISBN: 1470434415
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 362
Book Description
Is there a vector space whose dimension is the golden ratio? Of course not—the golden ratio is not an integer! But this can happen for generalizations of vector spaces—objects of a tensor category. The theory of tensor categories is a relatively new field of mathematics that generalizes the theory of group representations. It has deep connections with many other fields, including representation theory, Hopf algebras, operator algebras, low-dimensional topology (in particular, knot theory), homotopy theory, quantum mechanics and field theory, quantum computation, theory of motives, etc. This book gives a systematic introduction to this theory and a review of its applications. While giving a detailed overview of general tensor categories, it focuses especially on the theory of finite tensor categories and fusion categories (in particular, braided and modular ones), and discusses the main results about them with proofs. In particular, it shows how the main properties of finite-dimensional Hopf algebras may be derived from the theory of tensor categories. Many important results are presented as a sequence of exercises, which makes the book valuable for students and suitable for graduate courses. Many applications, connections to other areas, additional results, and references are discussed at the end of each chapter.
Publisher: American Mathematical Soc.
ISBN: 1470434415
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 362
Book Description
Is there a vector space whose dimension is the golden ratio? Of course not—the golden ratio is not an integer! But this can happen for generalizations of vector spaces—objects of a tensor category. The theory of tensor categories is a relatively new field of mathematics that generalizes the theory of group representations. It has deep connections with many other fields, including representation theory, Hopf algebras, operator algebras, low-dimensional topology (in particular, knot theory), homotopy theory, quantum mechanics and field theory, quantum computation, theory of motives, etc. This book gives a systematic introduction to this theory and a review of its applications. While giving a detailed overview of general tensor categories, it focuses especially on the theory of finite tensor categories and fusion categories (in particular, braided and modular ones), and discusses the main results about them with proofs. In particular, it shows how the main properties of finite-dimensional Hopf algebras may be derived from the theory of tensor categories. Many important results are presented as a sequence of exercises, which makes the book valuable for students and suitable for graduate courses. Many applications, connections to other areas, additional results, and references are discussed at the end of each chapter.
Dualizable Tensor Categories
Author: Christopher L. Douglas
Publisher: American Mathematical Soc.
ISBN: 1470443619
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 88
Book Description
We investigate the relationship between the algebra of tensor categories and the topology of framed 3-manifolds. On the one hand, tensor categories with cer-tain algebraic properties determine topological invariants. We prove that fusion categories of nonzero global dimension are 3-dualizable, and therefore provide 3-dimensional 3-framed local field theories. We also show that all finite tensor cat-egories are 2-dualizable, and yield categorified 2-dimensional 3-framed local field theories. On the other hand, topological properties of 3-framed manifolds deter-mine algebraic equations among functors of tensor categories. We show that the 1-dimensional loop bordism, which exhibits a single full rotation, acts as the double dual autofunctor of a tensor category. We prove that the 2-dimensional belt-trick bordism, which unravels a double rotation, operates on any finite tensor category, and therefore supplies a trivialization of the quadruple dual. This approach pro-duces a quadruple-dual theorem for suitably dualizable objects in any symmetric monoidal 3-category. There is furthermore a correspondence between algebraic structures on tensor categories and homotopy fixed point structures, which in turn provide structured field theories; we describe the expected connection between piv-otal tensor categories and combed fixed point structures, and between spherical tensor categories and oriented fixed point structures.
Publisher: American Mathematical Soc.
ISBN: 1470443619
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 88
Book Description
We investigate the relationship between the algebra of tensor categories and the topology of framed 3-manifolds. On the one hand, tensor categories with cer-tain algebraic properties determine topological invariants. We prove that fusion categories of nonzero global dimension are 3-dualizable, and therefore provide 3-dimensional 3-framed local field theories. We also show that all finite tensor cat-egories are 2-dualizable, and yield categorified 2-dimensional 3-framed local field theories. On the other hand, topological properties of 3-framed manifolds deter-mine algebraic equations among functors of tensor categories. We show that the 1-dimensional loop bordism, which exhibits a single full rotation, acts as the double dual autofunctor of a tensor category. We prove that the 2-dimensional belt-trick bordism, which unravels a double rotation, operates on any finite tensor category, and therefore supplies a trivialization of the quadruple dual. This approach pro-duces a quadruple-dual theorem for suitably dualizable objects in any symmetric monoidal 3-category. There is furthermore a correspondence between algebraic structures on tensor categories and homotopy fixed point structures, which in turn provide structured field theories; we describe the expected connection between piv-otal tensor categories and combed fixed point structures, and between spherical tensor categories and oriented fixed point structures.
Lectures on Quantum Groups
Author: Jens Carsten Jantzen
Publisher: American Mathematical Soc.
ISBN: 0821804782
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 282
Book Description
The material is very well motivated ... Of the various monographs available on quantum groups, this one ... seems the most suitable for most mathematicians new to the subject ... will also be appreciated by a lot of those with considerably more experience. --Bulletin of the London Mathematical Society Since its origin, the theory of quantum groups has become one of the most fascinating topics of modern mathematics, with numerous applications to several sometimes rather disparate areas, including low-dimensional topology and mathematical physics. This book is one of the first expositions that is specifically directed to students who have no previous knowledge of the subject. The only prerequisite, in addition to standard linear algebra, is some acquaintance with the classical theory of complex semisimple Lie algebras. Starting with the quantum analog of $\mathfrak{sl}_2$, the author carefully leads the reader through all the details necessary for full understanding of the subject, particularly emphasizing similarities and differences with the classical theory. The final chapters of the book describe the Kashiwara-Lusztig theory of so-called crystal (or canonical) bases in representations of complex semisimple Lie algebras. The choice of the topics and the style of exposition make Jantzen's book an excellent textbook for a one-semester course on quantum groups.
Publisher: American Mathematical Soc.
ISBN: 0821804782
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 282
Book Description
The material is very well motivated ... Of the various monographs available on quantum groups, this one ... seems the most suitable for most mathematicians new to the subject ... will also be appreciated by a lot of those with considerably more experience. --Bulletin of the London Mathematical Society Since its origin, the theory of quantum groups has become one of the most fascinating topics of modern mathematics, with numerous applications to several sometimes rather disparate areas, including low-dimensional topology and mathematical physics. This book is one of the first expositions that is specifically directed to students who have no previous knowledge of the subject. The only prerequisite, in addition to standard linear algebra, is some acquaintance with the classical theory of complex semisimple Lie algebras. Starting with the quantum analog of $\mathfrak{sl}_2$, the author carefully leads the reader through all the details necessary for full understanding of the subject, particularly emphasizing similarities and differences with the classical theory. The final chapters of the book describe the Kashiwara-Lusztig theory of so-called crystal (or canonical) bases in representations of complex semisimple Lie algebras. The choice of the topics and the style of exposition make Jantzen's book an excellent textbook for a one-semester course on quantum groups.
Quiver Representations and Quiver Varieties
Author: Alexander Kirillov Jr.
Publisher: American Mathematical Soc.
ISBN: 1470423073
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 311
Book Description
This book is an introduction to the theory of quiver representations and quiver varieties, starting with basic definitions and ending with Nakajima's work on quiver varieties and the geometric realization of Kac–Moody Lie algebras. The first part of the book is devoted to the classical theory of quivers of finite type. Here the exposition is mostly self-contained and all important proofs are presented in detail. The second part contains the more recent topics of quiver theory that are related to quivers of infinite type: Coxeter functor, tame and wild quivers, McKay correspondence, and representations of Euclidean quivers. In the third part, topics related to geometric aspects of quiver theory are discussed, such as quiver varieties, Hilbert schemes, and the geometric realization of Kac–Moody algebras. Here some of the more technical proofs are omitted; instead only the statements and some ideas of the proofs are given, and the reader is referred to original papers for details. The exposition in the book requires only a basic knowledge of algebraic geometry, differential geometry, and the theory of Lie groups and Lie algebras. Some sections use the language of derived categories; however, the use of this language is reduced to a minimum. The many examples make the book accessible to graduate students who want to learn about quivers, their representations, and their relations to algebraic geometry and Lie algebras.
Publisher: American Mathematical Soc.
ISBN: 1470423073
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 311
Book Description
This book is an introduction to the theory of quiver representations and quiver varieties, starting with basic definitions and ending with Nakajima's work on quiver varieties and the geometric realization of Kac–Moody Lie algebras. The first part of the book is devoted to the classical theory of quivers of finite type. Here the exposition is mostly self-contained and all important proofs are presented in detail. The second part contains the more recent topics of quiver theory that are related to quivers of infinite type: Coxeter functor, tame and wild quivers, McKay correspondence, and representations of Euclidean quivers. In the third part, topics related to geometric aspects of quiver theory are discussed, such as quiver varieties, Hilbert schemes, and the geometric realization of Kac–Moody algebras. Here some of the more technical proofs are omitted; instead only the statements and some ideas of the proofs are given, and the reader is referred to original papers for details. The exposition in the book requires only a basic knowledge of algebraic geometry, differential geometry, and the theory of Lie groups and Lie algebras. Some sections use the language of derived categories; however, the use of this language is reduced to a minimum. The many examples make the book accessible to graduate students who want to learn about quivers, their representations, and their relations to algebraic geometry and Lie algebras.
Conformal Field Theory
Author: Philippe Francesco
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1461222567
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 908
Book Description
Filling an important gap in the literature, this comprehensive text develops conformal field theory from first principles. The treatment is self-contained, pedagogical, and exhaustive, and includes a great deal of background material on quantum field theory, statistical mechanics, Lie algebras and affine Lie algebras. The many exercises, with a wide spectrum of difficulty and subjects, complement and in many cases extend the text. The text is thus not only an excellent tool for classroom teaching but also for individual study. Intended primarily for graduate students and researchers in theoretical high-energy physics, mathematical physics, condensed matter theory, statistical physics, the book will also be of interest in other areas of theoretical physics and mathematics. It will prepare the reader for original research in this very active field of theoretical and mathematical physics.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1461222567
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 908
Book Description
Filling an important gap in the literature, this comprehensive text develops conformal field theory from first principles. The treatment is self-contained, pedagogical, and exhaustive, and includes a great deal of background material on quantum field theory, statistical mechanics, Lie algebras and affine Lie algebras. The many exercises, with a wide spectrum of difficulty and subjects, complement and in many cases extend the text. The text is thus not only an excellent tool for classroom teaching but also for individual study. Intended primarily for graduate students and researchers in theoretical high-energy physics, mathematical physics, condensed matter theory, statistical physics, the book will also be of interest in other areas of theoretical physics and mathematics. It will prepare the reader for original research in this very active field of theoretical and mathematical physics.
Lectures on Field Theory and Topology
Author: Daniel S. Freed
Publisher: American Mathematical Soc.
ISBN: 1470452065
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 202
Book Description
These lectures recount an application of stable homotopy theory to a concrete problem in low energy physics: the classification of special phases of matter. While the joint work of the author and Michael Hopkins is a focal point, a general geometric frame of reference on quantum field theory is emphasized. Early lectures describe the geometric axiom systems introduced by Graeme Segal and Michael Atiyah in the late 1980s, as well as subsequent extensions. This material provides an entry point for mathematicians to delve into quantum field theory. Classification theorems in low dimensions are proved to illustrate the framework. The later lectures turn to more specialized topics in field theory, including the relationship between invertible field theories and stable homotopy theory, extended unitarity, anomalies, and relativistic free fermion systems. The accompanying mathematical explanations touch upon (higher) category theory, duals to the sphere spectrum, equivariant spectra, differential cohomology, and Dirac operators. The outcome of computations made using the Adams spectral sequence is presented and compared to results in the condensed matter literature obtained by very different means. The general perspectives and specific applications fuse into a compelling story at the interface of contemporary mathematics and theoretical physics.
Publisher: American Mathematical Soc.
ISBN: 1470452065
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 202
Book Description
These lectures recount an application of stable homotopy theory to a concrete problem in low energy physics: the classification of special phases of matter. While the joint work of the author and Michael Hopkins is a focal point, a general geometric frame of reference on quantum field theory is emphasized. Early lectures describe the geometric axiom systems introduced by Graeme Segal and Michael Atiyah in the late 1980s, as well as subsequent extensions. This material provides an entry point for mathematicians to delve into quantum field theory. Classification theorems in low dimensions are proved to illustrate the framework. The later lectures turn to more specialized topics in field theory, including the relationship between invertible field theories and stable homotopy theory, extended unitarity, anomalies, and relativistic free fermion systems. The accompanying mathematical explanations touch upon (higher) category theory, duals to the sphere spectrum, equivariant spectra, differential cohomology, and Dirac operators. The outcome of computations made using the Adams spectral sequence is presented and compared to results in the condensed matter literature obtained by very different means. The general perspectives and specific applications fuse into a compelling story at the interface of contemporary mathematics and theoretical physics.
Categories for Quantum Theory
Author: Chris Heunen
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0191060062
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 320
Book Description
Monoidal category theory serves as a powerful framework for describing logical aspects of quantum theory, giving an abstract language for parallel and sequential composition, and a conceptual way to understand many high-level quantum phenomena. This text lays the foundation for this categorical quantum mechanics, with an emphasis on the graphical calculus which makes computation intuitive. Biproducts and dual objects are introduced and used to model superposition and entanglement, with quantum teleportation studied abstractly using these structures. Monoids, Frobenius structures and Hopf algebras are described, and it is shown how they can be used to model classical information and complementary observables. The CP construction, a categorical tool to describe probabilistic quantum systems, is also investigated. The last chapter introduces higher categories, surface diagrams and 2-Hilbert spaces, and shows how the language of duality in monoidal 2-categories can be used to reason about quantum protocols, including quantum teleportation and dense coding. Prior knowledge of linear algebra, quantum information or category theory would give an ideal background for studying this text, but it is not assumed, with essential background material given in a self-contained introductory chapter. Throughout the text links with many other areas are highlighted, such as representation theory, topology, quantum algebra, knot theory, and probability theory, and nonstandard models are presented, such as sets and relations. All results are stated rigorously, and full proofs are given as far as possible, making this book an invaluable reference for modern techniques in quantum logic, with much of the material not available in any other textbook.
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0191060062
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 320
Book Description
Monoidal category theory serves as a powerful framework for describing logical aspects of quantum theory, giving an abstract language for parallel and sequential composition, and a conceptual way to understand many high-level quantum phenomena. This text lays the foundation for this categorical quantum mechanics, with an emphasis on the graphical calculus which makes computation intuitive. Biproducts and dual objects are introduced and used to model superposition and entanglement, with quantum teleportation studied abstractly using these structures. Monoids, Frobenius structures and Hopf algebras are described, and it is shown how they can be used to model classical information and complementary observables. The CP construction, a categorical tool to describe probabilistic quantum systems, is also investigated. The last chapter introduces higher categories, surface diagrams and 2-Hilbert spaces, and shows how the language of duality in monoidal 2-categories can be used to reason about quantum protocols, including quantum teleportation and dense coding. Prior knowledge of linear algebra, quantum information or category theory would give an ideal background for studying this text, but it is not assumed, with essential background material given in a self-contained introductory chapter. Throughout the text links with many other areas are highlighted, such as representation theory, topology, quantum algebra, knot theory, and probability theory, and nonstandard models are presented, such as sets and relations. All results are stated rigorously, and full proofs are given as far as possible, making this book an invaluable reference for modern techniques in quantum logic, with much of the material not available in any other textbook.
Categories in Algebra, Geometry and Mathematical Physics
Author: Alexei Davydov
Publisher: American Mathematical Soc.
ISBN: 0821839705
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 482
Book Description
Category theory has become the universal language of modern mathematics. This book is a collection of articles applying methods of category theory to the areas of algebra, geometry, and mathematical physics. Among others, this book contains articles on higher categories and their applications and on homotopy theoretic methods. The reader can learn about the exciting new interactions of category theory with very traditional mathematical disciplines.
Publisher: American Mathematical Soc.
ISBN: 0821839705
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 482
Book Description
Category theory has become the universal language of modern mathematics. This book is a collection of articles applying methods of category theory to the areas of algebra, geometry, and mathematical physics. Among others, this book contains articles on higher categories and their applications and on homotopy theoretic methods. The reader can learn about the exciting new interactions of category theory with very traditional mathematical disciplines.
Vertex Operator Algebras in Mathematics and Physics
Author: Stephen Berman
Publisher: American Mathematical Soc.
ISBN: 9780821871447
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 268
Book Description
Vertex operator algebras are a class of algebras underlying a number of recent constructions, results, and themes in mathematics. These algebras can be understood as ''string-theoretic analogues'' of Lie algebras and of commutative associative algebras. They play fundamental roles in some of the most active research areas in mathematics and physics. Much recent progress in both physics and mathematics has benefited from cross-pollination between the physical and mathematical points of view. This book presents the proceedings from the workshop, ''Vertex Operator Algebras in Mathematics and Physics'', held at The Fields Institute. It consists of papers based on many of the talks given at the conference by leading experts in the algebraic, geometric, and physical aspects of vertex operator algebra theory. The book is suitable for graduate students and research mathematicians interested in the major themes and important developments on the frontier of research in vertex operator algebra theory and its applications in mathematics and physics.
Publisher: American Mathematical Soc.
ISBN: 9780821871447
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 268
Book Description
Vertex operator algebras are a class of algebras underlying a number of recent constructions, results, and themes in mathematics. These algebras can be understood as ''string-theoretic analogues'' of Lie algebras and of commutative associative algebras. They play fundamental roles in some of the most active research areas in mathematics and physics. Much recent progress in both physics and mathematics has benefited from cross-pollination between the physical and mathematical points of view. This book presents the proceedings from the workshop, ''Vertex Operator Algebras in Mathematics and Physics'', held at The Fields Institute. It consists of papers based on many of the talks given at the conference by leading experts in the algebraic, geometric, and physical aspects of vertex operator algebra theory. The book is suitable for graduate students and research mathematicians interested in the major themes and important developments on the frontier of research in vertex operator algebra theory and its applications in mathematics and physics.