Bi-Lagrangian Structures and Teichmüller Theory
A bi-Lagrangian structure on a manifold is the data of a symplectic form and a pair of transverse Lagrangian foliations. Equivalently, it can be defined as a para-Kähler structure, i.e. the para-complex analog of a Kähler structure. After discussing interesting features of bi-Lagrangian structures in the real and complex settings, I will show that the complexification of any Kähler manifold has a natural complex bi-Lagrangian structure. I will then specialize this discussion to moduli spaces of geometric structures on surfaces, which typically have a rich symplectic geometry. We will see that that some of the recognized geometric features of these moduli spaces are formal consequences of the general theory while revealing new other features, and derive a few well-known results of Teichmüller theory. Time permitting, I will present the construction of an almost hyper-Kähler structure in the complexification of any Kähler manifold. This is joint work with Andy Sanders.
Topological recursion and WKB formal asymptotic expansion. From ODE’s to loop equations, and the notion of « quantum curve ».
Nous organisons un petit groupe de travail pour essayer de mieux comprendre les liens entre la méthode de BKW complexe, la correspondance de Hodge nonabélienne sauvage et la récursion toplogique d'Eynard-Orantin.
The basic aim is to try to better understand the relation between exact WKB, wild nonabelian Hodge theory and the topological recursion of Eynard-Orantin, as well as links to the (nonlinear) Stokes phenomenon.
Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques: some history and histories
I will present some history and histories around the first years of the IHES and answer (briefly) the questions: By whom? Why? How? Where? When? was the IHES created, with documents from the archives – letters, administrative as well as mathematical documents – and people's memories.
On the Ramanujan Conjecture for Automorphic Forms over Function Fields
Let G be a reductive group over a function field of large enough characteristic. We prove the temperedness at unramified places of automorphic representations of G, subject to a local assumption at one place, stronger than supercuspidality. Such an assumption is necessary, as was first shown by Saito-Kurokawa and Howe-Piatetskii-Shapiro in the 70's. Our method relies on the l-adic geometry of BunG, and on trace formulas. Work with Will Sawin.
Cohomological Hall Algebras, Vertex Algebras and Instantons
The notion of Cohomological Hall algebra (COHA) was introduced in our joint paper with Maxim Kontsevich 10 years ago. It can be thought of as a mathematical incarnation of the notion of BPS algebra envisioned by physicists Harvey and Moore in the 90's.
Mathematically, COHA is an associative algebra structure on the cohomology of the moduli stack of objects of a 3-dimensional Calabi-Yau category with coefficients in a certain constructible sheaf. Interesting categories can be of geometric or algebraic origin (sheaves on Calabi-Yau 3-folds, quivers with potential, etc.).
In the talk I plan to discuss actions of COHA on the cohomology of certain instanton moduli spaces (spiked instantons of Nekrasov). This gives a relationship of COHA with affine Yangians and more recent "vertex algebras at the corner" introduced by Gaiotto and Rapcak.
Recent advances in two-loop superstrings
Recent advances in two-loop superstring theory will be discussed, including the structure of supermoduli space, the spontaneous supersymmetry breaking on Calabi-Yau orbifolds, and the matching of the D6 R4 effective low energy corrections to supergravity with predictions from supersymmetry and duality.
Resolving the Structure of Black Holes
I show how massless supergravity theories can evade the theorems that try to establish that there are « No Solitons without Horizons. » The explicit construction of smooth, horizonless BPS solitons will be reviewed and some of their physical properties will be discussed. The possible role of such solitons in describing black-hole microstates will be examined.
Einstein’s path to general relativity
The talk will review the birth of GR on the background of historical documents, and in particular on the basis of Einstein’s extant manuscripts. It will show how Einstein’s work emerged from a transformation of the knowledge of classical physics in a process that involved an interaction between the development of mathematical formalism and its physical interpretation. It will also emphasize the role of philosophical reflections for both the heuristics and the interpretation of the theory.
Non-critical L-values of Q-curves
Journée autour des régulateurs et des valeurs de fonctions L.
Critical exponents for long-range O(n) models
Séminaire de Probabilités et de Physique Théorique
We present results on the critical behaviour of long-range models of multi-component ferromagnetic spins and weakly self-avoiding walk in dimensions 1, 2, and 3. The range of the interaction is adjusted so that the models are below their upper critical dimension. Critical exponents are computed for the susceptibility, specific heat, and critical two-point function, using a renormalisation group method to perturb around a non-Gaussian fixed point. This provides a mathematically rigorous version of the epsilon expansion.