The homotopy theory of rationalized simply connected spaces was shown by Quillen to be encoded algebraically in differential graded Lie algebras in his seminal work on rational homotopy theory. Motivated by this theory and Whitney's treatment of differential forms on arbitrary complexes, Sullivan later described a theory of computable algebraic models for rational homotopy types in terms of differential graded algebras of differential forms in his "Infinitesimal Computations in Topology". Following a problem posed therein, we give a characterization of the simply connected rational homotopy types, together with a choice of rational Chern classes and fundamental class, that are realized by closed almost complex manifolds in complex dimensions three and greater, with a caveat in complex dimensions congruent to two modulo four depending on the first Chern class. As a consequence, beyond demonstrating that rational homotopy types of closed almost complex manifolds are plenty, we observe that the realizability of a simply connected rational homotopy type by a closed almost complex manifold, of complex dimension not congruent to two modulo four, depends only on its cohomology ring.
April 14, 2021
Congratulations to our colleague John Milnor for receiving the 2020 Russian Academy of Sciences Lomonosov Gold Medal.
The Lomonosov Gold Medal named after Russian scientist and polymath Mikhail Lomonosov, is awarded each year since 1959 for outstanding achievements in the natural sciences and the humanities by the USSR Academy of Sciences and later the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS). Since 1967, two medals are awarded annually: one to a Russian and one to a foreign scientist. It is the Academy's highest accolade.
March 12, 2021
In complex algebraic geometry, the decomposition theorem asserts that semisimple geometric objects remain semisimple after taking direct images under proper algebraic maps. This was conjectured by Kashiwara and is proved by Mochizuki and Sabbah in a series of long papers via harmonic analysis and D-modules.
In this thesis defense, we would like to explain a simpler proof in the case of semisimple local systems, using a more geometric approach adapting de Cataldo- Migliorini. On the one hand, we complement Simpson’s theory of weights for local systems by proving a global invariant cycle theorem in the setting of local systems. On the other hand, we define a notion of polarization via Hermitian forms on pure twistor structures. This is partially based on joint work with Chuanhao Wei.
The goal of this Workshop is to explore connections between various aspects of Renormalization in Dynamics (unimodal and circle, holomorphic and cocyclic, Henon, KAM, and stochastic renormalizations) and Physics (QFT and statistical mechanics, fluid dynamics, and KPZ), which could help to reveal a unifying theme for all these phenomena.
This workshop is part of the Program: Renormalization and universality in Conformal Geometry, Dynamics, Random Processes, and Field Theory: February 3 – June 5, 2020. There will also be Renormalization retrospective: Feigenbaum Memorial Conference held right before (May 28-29, 2020).
This Conference will pay tribute to the great discovery made by Feigenbaum in the mid 1970s and its ramifications (mostly in math) in the past 45 years. It will also serve as an introduction to the SCGP Workshop Many faces of renormalization held during the following week (June 1–5). Both events are part of the Program: Renormalization and universality in Conformal Geometry, Dynamics, Random Processes, and Field Theory: February 22 – March 19, 2021
Claude LeBrun is one of the foremost geometers in the world today. His original and profoundly influential research over the past forty years has consistently changed the landscape of the field. He has used ideas from physics, such as Penrose’s twistor theory, the Gibbons-Hawking Ansatz, and Seiberg-Witten invariants, to establish results that no one expected, and at the same time to disprove long-standing conjectures. His deep mathematical knowledge and talent has enabled him to make transformative contributions to a wide range of subjects. He has been at Stony Brook since 1983, and is a leading member of the differential geometry group in our department.
Stony Brook University
October 23-25, 2020
The August Comprehensive Exams will be offered both in-person and online. If you wish to take the exam online, please contact Christine Gathman.