Speaker

:

Professor Dr. Katrin Wendland

Subject Area

:

Mathematics

Venue

:

Lecture Hall - II, Dept of Mathematics

Time

:

10.00 am

Date  

:

September 24,2007 (Monday)

Title

:

Quantum field theory as an aid to geometers Finite Element Methods

String theorists believe that elementary particles can be described by one dimensional string-like objects that propagate in certain geometries. An appropriate mathematical treatment combines the study of quantum field theory and geometry. Whether or not one believes in the physical (or even mathematical) reality of string
theory as a whole, the idea to use one-dimensional "test particles" to investigate the properties of interesting geometries allows far reaching insights- both in quantum field theory and in geometry.

The talk will present down-to-earth examples of this phenomenon, where in fact the rather rich structure of quantum field theory serves as an aid to geometers.