Mike Hermele (University of Colorado, Physics Department) Basics of quantum mechanics from a physicist’s point of view
Jan. 30, 2019 4pm (MATH 350)
Grad Student Seminar
Piotr M. Hajac (CU Boulder / IMPAN)
X
Operator algebras are the language of quantum mechanics just as much as differential geometry is the language of general relativity. Reconciling these two fundamental theories of physics is one of the biggest scientific dreams. It is a driving force behind efforts to geometrize operator algebras and to quantize differential geometry. One of these endeavours is noncommutatvive geometry, whose starting point is natural equivalence between commutative operator algebras (C*-algebras) and locally compact Hausdorff spaces. Thus noncommutative C*-algebras are thought of as quantum topological spaces, and are researched from this perspective. However, such C*-algebras can enjoy features impossible for commutative C*-algebras, forcing one to abandon the algebraic-topology based intuition. Nevertheless, there is a class of operator algebras for which one can develop new ("quantum") intuition. These are graph algebras, C*-algebras determined by oriented graphs (quivers). Due to their tangible hands-on nature, graphs are extremely efficient in unraveling the structure and K-theory of graph algebras. We will exemplify this phenomenon by showing a CW-complex structure of the Vaksman-Soibelman quantum complex projective spaces, and how it explains its K-theory.
Operator Algebras that One Can See
Jan. 30, 2019 5pm (Math 350)
Math Club
Danny Moritz (CU Boulder)
X
A web through time and space exploring the Geodesic Dome’s historical origins, structural facets, a middle schooler’s construction using Euler Paths, Euler’s formula for polyhedra with two interesting proofs, and extensions into Fullerenes reconsidered with signatures and adjacency matrices.
Operator Algebras that One Can See