Proving the Landau-Ginzburg/Conformal Field Theory correspondence. This project aims to provide the first precise mathematical statement and geometric proof of the Landau-Ginzburg/Conformal Field Theory (LG/CFT) correspondence for simple singularities, a physically motivated principle that relates hypersurface singularities in algebraic geometry to representations of vertex algebras in conformal field theory. The formalism developed here is expected to clarify the nature of the correspondence an ....Proving the Landau-Ginzburg/Conformal Field Theory correspondence. This project aims to provide the first precise mathematical statement and geometric proof of the Landau-Ginzburg/Conformal Field Theory (LG/CFT) correspondence for simple singularities, a physically motivated principle that relates hypersurface singularities in algebraic geometry to representations of vertex algebras in conformal field theory. The formalism developed here is expected to clarify the nature of the correspondence and lead directly to generalisations beyond simple singularities, as well as provide a dictionary to translate methods of CFT into singularity theory and vice versa. These results will further cement Australia's reputation as an international leader in pure mathematics and mathematical physics research.Read moreRead less
Classical and quantum invariants of low-dimensional manifolds. This project aims to advance our understanding of knots and 3-dimensional spaces, which arise naturally in fields as diverse as physics, computer graphics, chemistry and biology. Recent ideas from quantum field theory link physics to topology in dimensions 3 and 4, leading to powerful invariants of knots and 3-dimensional manifolds that include the Jones polynomial and the 3D-index. This project aims to resolve key questions relating ....Classical and quantum invariants of low-dimensional manifolds. This project aims to advance our understanding of knots and 3-dimensional spaces, which arise naturally in fields as diverse as physics, computer graphics, chemistry and biology. Recent ideas from quantum field theory link physics to topology in dimensions 3 and 4, leading to powerful invariants of knots and 3-dimensional manifolds that include the Jones polynomial and the 3D-index. This project aims to resolve key questions relating these quantum invariants to classical topology and geometry. The project will have a major impact in low-dimensional topology, and lead to deep and unexpected connections between mathematics and mathematical physics.Read moreRead less
New approaches and applications of integrable quantum field theory. This project aims to develop new mathematical approaches to the theory of integrable systems to obtain exact solutions of various non-linear models of two-dimensional quantum field theory. The project is based on an unexpected correspondence between classical and quantum systems which provides a powerful method for describing physically interesting models of integrable quantum field theory. Expected outcomes include exact soluti ....New approaches and applications of integrable quantum field theory. This project aims to develop new mathematical approaches to the theory of integrable systems to obtain exact solutions of various non-linear models of two-dimensional quantum field theory. The project is based on an unexpected correspondence between classical and quantum systems which provides a powerful method for describing physically interesting models of integrable quantum field theory. Expected outcomes include exact solutions to non-linear sigma-models which have important applications in many areas, including condensed matter physics, string and field theories and Riemannian geometry. The project expects to provide significant benefit to the advancement of knowledge in physics and mathematics.Read moreRead less
Universal structures in stringy extra dimensions. The project aims to study properties of extra dimensions in string theory by means of techniques from supersymmetric gauge theory. This new approach makes it possible to study areas in the landscape of stringy extra dimensions that have not been accessible before. The project expects to uncover new universal features. This will have significant impact on string theory and mathematics. Expected outcomes of this project include answers to conceptua ....Universal structures in stringy extra dimensions. The project aims to study properties of extra dimensions in string theory by means of techniques from supersymmetric gauge theory. This new approach makes it possible to study areas in the landscape of stringy extra dimensions that have not been accessible before. The project expects to uncover new universal features. This will have significant impact on string theory and mathematics. Expected outcomes of this project include answers to conceptual questions in string theory, new types of extra dimensions, and new methods to compute quantum corrections in string theory. This should provide significant benefits, such as interdisciplinary collaborations at the national and international level and a strengthening of string theory in Australia.Read moreRead less
Frobenius manifolds from a geometrical and categorical viewpoint. This project aims to provide connections between Frobenius manifolds obtained from algebraic curves in diverse ways. The different constructions, using complex geometry on the one hand and category theory on the other, provide, respectively, a quantitative and qualitative view on the same Frobenius manifold. Together, these distinct points of view allow for the calculation of previously inaccessible physical quantities, and point ....Frobenius manifolds from a geometrical and categorical viewpoint. This project aims to provide connections between Frobenius manifolds obtained from algebraic curves in diverse ways. The different constructions, using complex geometry on the one hand and category theory on the other, provide, respectively, a quantitative and qualitative view on the same Frobenius manifold. Together, these distinct points of view allow for the calculation of previously inaccessible physical quantities, and point to deep new relations between algebraic, complex and differential geometry. These relations are expected to guide new fundamental research on the border of mathematics and physics.Read moreRead less
Physical realisation of enriched quantum symmetries. This project aims to investigate fundamental mathematical structures in modern category theory, providing an algebraic description of physical systems including topological order and conformal field theory. The project will study quantum symmetry, and classify and construct new classes of conformal field theories, using novel tools from enriched category theory, modular forms, and lattice gauge theory.
The main goal is to understand the lands ....Physical realisation of enriched quantum symmetries. This project aims to investigate fundamental mathematical structures in modern category theory, providing an algebraic description of physical systems including topological order and conformal field theory. The project will study quantum symmetry, and classify and construct new classes of conformal field theories, using novel tools from enriched category theory, modular forms, and lattice gauge theory.
The main goal is to understand the landscape of topological and conformal field theories, laying the foundation for new technologies based on topological order. This timely project capitalises on the recent arrival of subfactor experts in Australia, and builds capacity in mathematical research and international links in a cutting edge field.Read moreRead less
Advances in Conformal Field Theory with Extended Symmetry. This project aims to develop novel methods to formulate conformal field theories with extended symmetry that are important in variety of applications ranging from pure mathematics to phenomenology of elementary particles. The project expects to advance our knowledge in the most challenging areas of modern theoretical physics - Quantum Gravity and physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. Its expected outcomes will include co ....Advances in Conformal Field Theory with Extended Symmetry. This project aims to develop novel methods to formulate conformal field theories with extended symmetry that are important in variety of applications ranging from pure mathematics to phenomenology of elementary particles. The project expects to advance our knowledge in the most challenging areas of modern theoretical physics - Quantum Gravity and physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. Its expected outcomes will include conceptual results of major significance for modern theoretical and mathematical physics, thus placing Australia at the forefront of this research. A rich intellectual environment will be provided for training Australian PhD students by internationally recognised experts.
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Conformal Field Theories with Higher Spin Symmetry and Duality Invariance. This project aims to develop novel methods to study conformal field theories with higher spin symmetry and duality invarianvce that are important in variety of applications ranging from cosmology to phenomenology of elementary particles. The project expects to advance our knowledge in one of the most challenging areas of modern theoretical physics - Quantum Gravity and physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics ....Conformal Field Theories with Higher Spin Symmetry and Duality Invariance. This project aims to develop novel methods to study conformal field theories with higher spin symmetry and duality invarianvce that are important in variety of applications ranging from cosmology to phenomenology of elementary particles. The project expects to advance our knowledge in one of the most challenging areas of modern theoretical physics - Quantum Gravity and physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. Its expected outcomes will be new conceptual results of major significance for modern theoretical and mathematical physics, thus placing Australia at the forefront of this research. Benefits will include a rich intellectual environment for training Australian PhD students by internationally recognised experts.
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Supersymmetry and supergravity: new approaches and applications. This project aims to advance our understanding of supersymmetric quantum field, gravity, and higher-spin theories. Supersymmetry and supergravity play crucial roles in modern developments in fundamental particle physics and cosmology. They also have rich connections with many branches of mathematical physics. Major conceptual questions in the description of general supergravity-matter couplings are still unsolved. By performing sta ....Supersymmetry and supergravity: new approaches and applications. This project aims to advance our understanding of supersymmetric quantum field, gravity, and higher-spin theories. Supersymmetry and supergravity play crucial roles in modern developments in fundamental particle physics and cosmology. They also have rich connections with many branches of mathematical physics. Major conceptual questions in the description of general supergravity-matter couplings are still unsolved. By performing state of the art analysis in supergravity and holographic dualities, the project will advance our understanding of quantum gravity, black holes, and cosmology placing Australia at the forefront of these important research fields.Read moreRead less
Logarithmic conformal field theory and the 4D/2D correspondence. Conformal field theory provides powerful methods for attacking problems in theoretical physics and furnishes beautiful connections between seemingly disparate branches of pure mathematics. This proposal aims to greatly expand our knowledge of the logarithmic conformal field theories that have recently witnessed a resurgence of interest in physics. Advancing these theories is crucial to progress in high-energy physics and pure mathe ....Logarithmic conformal field theory and the 4D/2D correspondence. Conformal field theory provides powerful methods for attacking problems in theoretical physics and furnishes beautiful connections between seemingly disparate branches of pure mathematics. This proposal aims to greatly expand our knowledge of the logarithmic conformal field theories that have recently witnessed a resurgence of interest in physics. Advancing these theories is crucial to progress in high-energy physics and pure mathematics. Expected outcomes include a completely new understanding of the mathematical structure of these theories which will, in turn, facilitate applications in 4D gauge theory. This will boost research capacity and further cement Australia's reputation as an international leader in mathematical physics research.Read moreRead less