Higher Line Bundles in Geometry and Physics. This project seeks to develop a theory of geometric objects, `higher line bundles', which realise elements of higher dimensional cohomology groups. In particular this project will develop a theory of differential geometry for these objects, allowing one to interpret differential forms representing cohomology classes as the `curvature' of a higher line bundle. This will have applications in quantum field theory and string/brane theory.
Global aspects of dualities in String Theory in the presence of background fluxes. String Theory, known to the general public as the "Theory of Everything', is currently an extremely active area of research internationally. It has not only stimulated considerable interaction between mathematical physicists and mathematicians, but also increased public interest in science through television programs and books. Unfortunately, the majority of the Australian scientific community has not yet caught ....Global aspects of dualities in String Theory in the presence of background fluxes. String Theory, known to the general public as the "Theory of Everything', is currently an extremely active area of research internationally. It has not only stimulated considerable interaction between mathematical physicists and mathematicians, but also increased public interest in science through television programs and books. Unfortunately, the majority of the Australian scientific community has not yet caught up with these developments. Our recent papers, all published in premier journals in this field, have not only received widespread international attention but have also increased the profile of String Theory amongst Australia's mathematicians and mathematical physicists. The proposed project is expected to continue this trend.Read moreRead less
Twisted K-theory and its application to String Theory and Conformal Field Theory. String Theory is, at present, the only consistent theory of quantum gravity. Recently, twisted K-theory was proposed as the algebraic structure underlying the classification of D-branes, i.e. solitonic extended objects, in certain closed string backgrounds. In this project we aim to advance our understanding of the properties of twisted K-theory in the context of String Theory and Conformal Field Theory. The ult ....Twisted K-theory and its application to String Theory and Conformal Field Theory. String Theory is, at present, the only consistent theory of quantum gravity. Recently, twisted K-theory was proposed as the algebraic structure underlying the classification of D-branes, i.e. solitonic extended objects, in certain closed string backgrounds. In this project we aim to advance our understanding of the properties of twisted K-theory in the context of String Theory and Conformal Field Theory. The ultimate goal is to find the appropriate K-theory classifying D-branes in arbitrary closed string backgrounds or, similarly, classifying boundary Conformal Field Theories. It has already emerged that the K-theory of C*-algebras will play an important role.Read moreRead less
Dualities in String Theory and Conformal Field Theory in the context of the Geometric Langlands Program. The Langlands program ties together seemingly unrelated areas of Mathematics. Recently, in the context of the Geometric Langlands correspondence, novel connections with Theoretical Physics have emerged, thus becoming one of the most active areas of research in both Mathematics and Theoretical Physics. Australia has a number of world-renowned experts, including the two CI's, in various aspect ....Dualities in String Theory and Conformal Field Theory in the context of the Geometric Langlands Program. The Langlands program ties together seemingly unrelated areas of Mathematics. Recently, in the context of the Geometric Langlands correspondence, novel connections with Theoretical Physics have emerged, thus becoming one of the most active areas of research in both Mathematics and Theoretical Physics. Australia has a number of world-renowned experts, including the two CI's, in various aspects of the Langlands program, and is therefore well-placed to make seminal contributions. Being involved in these new developments is of crucial importance to the health of Mathematics and Theoretical Physics in Australia. An integral part of this proposal is student involvement and postgraduate training.Read moreRead less
Fractional analytic index theory. Atiyah-Singer index theory, for which M.F. Atiyah and I.M. Singer received the 2004 Abel Prize, has stimulated considerable interaction between mathematicians and mathematical physicists. An extension of this theory is Fractional Index Theory, co-invented by R.B. Melrose, I.M. Singer and myself, which has received international attention, having solved a fundamental open problem. A central aim in my research project is to extend our theory to elliptic boundary ....Fractional analytic index theory. Atiyah-Singer index theory, for which M.F. Atiyah and I.M. Singer received the 2004 Abel Prize, has stimulated considerable interaction between mathematicians and mathematical physicists. An extension of this theory is Fractional Index Theory, co-invented by R.B. Melrose, I.M. Singer and myself, which has received international attention, having solved a fundamental open problem. A central aim in my research project is to extend our theory to elliptic boundary value problems. I will assist beginners to navigate to the cutting edge of research through workshops, spring-schools and supervision. Benefits include the enhancement of Australia's position in the forefront of international research.Read moreRead less
Twisted K-theory, higher geometry and operator algebras. This project aims to develop new theory and techniques linking twisted K-theory, higher-geometry and operator algebras. These are all fundamental areas of mathematics with applications both within mathematics itself and to mathematical physics, particularly in string theory. Anticipated outcomes are fundamental advances in knowledge in mathematics and mathematical physics, enhancement of Australia's international mathematical reputation an ....Twisted K-theory, higher geometry and operator algebras. This project aims to develop new theory and techniques linking twisted K-theory, higher-geometry and operator algebras. These are all fundamental areas of mathematics with applications both within mathematics itself and to mathematical physics, particularly in string theory. Anticipated outcomes are fundamental advances in knowledge in mathematics and mathematical physics, enhancement of Australia's international mathematical reputation and collaborative linkages, and the training of the next generation of Australian mathematicians.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120100901
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Deformation quantisation and index theory for semi-simple groups. Deformation quantisation is a mathematical technique for describing the counter-intuitive geometry of quantum physics as a small variation of classical geometry as Newton would have known it. This project will apply the same techniques to solve fundamental mathematical problems in the study of symmetries.
Flexibility and symmetry in complex geometry. Differential equations play a fundamental role in science and technology. The aim of the project is to study important differential equations that arise in geometry, their symmetries, and obstructions to solving them.
Ubiquity of K-theory and T-duality. An abstract mathematical tool, called K-theory, has recently found application in two, not obviously related, areas of physics: the classification of D-branes in String Theory, and topological phases in Condensed Matter Theory. This project aims to advance the development of K-theory using ideas from physics. In particular, the project aims to generalise previous constructions, such as T-duality, to loop spaces, and to develop the K-theory relevant to the clas ....Ubiquity of K-theory and T-duality. An abstract mathematical tool, called K-theory, has recently found application in two, not obviously related, areas of physics: the classification of D-branes in String Theory, and topological phases in Condensed Matter Theory. This project aims to advance the development of K-theory using ideas from physics. In particular, the project aims to generalise previous constructions, such as T-duality, to loop spaces, and to develop the K-theory relevant to the classification of topological phases in strongly interacting systems. This project involves postgraduate training as a crucial tool in achieving its aims and enhances Australia's position at the forefront of international research.Read moreRead less
Coarse Geometry: a novel approach to the Callias index & topological matter. Coarse geometry is the study of the large-scale structure of metric spaces, in terms of operator algebras. This project aims to use coarse geometry to develop novel approaches to Callias index theory and its applications, and to topological phases of matter, where the Nobel Prize in physics in 2016 was awarded. This will yield new techniques in index theory and other areas, and solutions to several important problems. O ....Coarse Geometry: a novel approach to the Callias index & topological matter. Coarse geometry is the study of the large-scale structure of metric spaces, in terms of operator algebras. This project aims to use coarse geometry to develop novel approaches to Callias index theory and its applications, and to topological phases of matter, where the Nobel Prize in physics in 2016 was awarded. This will yield new techniques in index theory and other areas, and solutions to several important problems. Outcomes include a noncompact generalisation of the famous Guillemin-Sternberg conjecture that quantisation commutes with reduction, and new models of topological phases of matter in terms of K-theory of operator algebras. This project will benefit Australia by reinforcing its position in these highly active areas in science.Read moreRead less