Current Seminars
updated 11/13/ 2002

Seminar Coordinators



Week of  November 13 - November 15, 2002

 

Special Lecture 

Topic:        An Introduction to Quasiconvexity  (Parts Parts III - VI, this is a continuation of the lectures from November 12)

Presenter:   John Ball, Oxford University and IAS

Date:          Wednesday, November 13, 2002:  Time:  9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., Location: Fine Hall 1001
                                                                                   1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Location:  Fine Hall 322

Abstract:    Quasiconvexity is the central convexity condition of the multi-dimensional calculus of variations, but because of the lack of an adequate characterization of quasiconvex functions it remains somewhat mysterious.  The lectures will cover the following topics: a) Definition and examples of quasiconvex functions.  Null Lagrangians and polyconvexity.  Rank-one convexity.  b) Lower semicontinuity and existence of minimizers.  Applications to elasticity.  Quasiconvexity in the interior and at the boundary as necessary conditions for a minimizer.  Partial regularity.  Relaxation.  c) Quasiconvexity and gradient Young measures. Quasiconvex sets of matrices.  Relaxation and the passage from microscales to macroscales.  Examples involving finitely many matrices or energy wells.  Martensitic microstructure.  d) Extensions and applications: higher-order problems, homogenization, quasiregular maps...These lectures precede the conference Quasiconvexity and its Appications (see http://www.mis.mpg.de/conferences/quasiconvexity2002/).  The lectures will be self-contained and assume as little background knowledge as possible.  However, some familiarity with Sobolev spaces and weak convergence in Lp spaces will be an advantage.

Statistical Mechanics Seminar

Topic:       The Scott correction to the energy of atoms via a new coherent state representation

Presenter:   Bernhard Bodmann, Princeton University

Date:         Wednesday, November 13, 2002, Time: 2:00 p.m., Location: Jadwin 343

Abstract:    In this talk a recent result by Solovej and Spitzer (math-ph/0208044) will be outlined. They were able to give a new proof of the Scott correction to the Thomas-Fermi energy asymptotics of large atoms, which is less technical than the original one.  Their method uses a generalized coherent-state representation that they invented and which is potentially of general interest.
 
 

Department Colloquium

Topic:        Partial differential equations methods for weak KAM theory

Presenter:  Craig EvansUniversity of California at Berkeley

Date:         Wednesday, November 13, 2002, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314

Abstract:    PDE theory provides weak solutions of certain nonlinear first-order equations which, formally at least, induce simplifying changes of variables for Hamiltonian dynamics.  I will discuss an ongoing program to make some part of this observation rigorous, and will in particular explain connections with Mather's variational principle for Lagrangian dynamics and Fathi's ``weak KAM'' theory.
 
 

Discrete Mathematics Seminar

Topic:      The diversity of Graph Properties

Presenter: Mike Saks, Rutgers University

Date:         Thursday, November 14, 2002, Time: 2:15  p.m., Location: Fine Hall 224

Abstract: Please click here to view abstract
 
 

Joint Princeton University/IAS Number Theory Seminar

Topic:        Some problems on entire arithmetic functions

Presenter: Jonathan Pila,  University of  Melbourne and IAS

Date:          Thursday, November 14, 2002:  Time:  4:30, Location:  Fine Hall 322
 
 

Topology Seminar *** Please note change in time

Topic:        The Hyperbolic Solid Tube Parameter Space

Presenter:   Robert Meyerhoff, Boston College

Date:          Thursday, November 14, 2002:  Time:  4:30p.m., Location:  Fine Hall 314
 
 

Week of  November 18 - November 22, 2002
 
 

Analysis Seminar

Topic:       Non-linear Fourier analysis and Scattering Transform in $L^2(\R)$.

Presenter:  Christoph ThieleUCLA

Date:          Monday, November 18, 2002, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314
 
 

PACM Colloquium

Topic:       An Eulerian Method for Multiphase Computations of the Schrodinger Equation

Presenter: Xiantao Li, PACM, Princeton University

Date:         Monday, November 18, 2002, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 214

Abtract:    We present a new numerical method for the computation of the semiclassical limits of the Schrodinger equation. We first use Wigner transform technique to derive a Vlasov equation in the phase space, and then find its solution in the multiphase regime.  By taking moment closure, we obtain the multiphase equations in the physical space. The numerical procedure follows the solution of the Vlasov equation, but only operates in the physical space, which offers great efficiency and simplicity. In addition, we will show some other application of this technique, such as the multivalued solutions of the Euler Poisson system in Klystron.
 
 

Algebraic Geometry Seminar

Topic:        One dimensional families of Calabi-Yau threefolds

Presenter: Charles F. Doran, Columbia University

Date:         Tuesday, November 19, 2002, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 322
 
 

Statistical Mechanics Seminar

Topic:       Semiclassical Statistical Physics

Presenter:   Carlos Aragao, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

Date:         Wednesday, November 20, 2002, Time: 2:00 p.m., Location: Jadwin 343

Abstract:    We will review the use of semiclassical path-integral methods in Statistical Physics, with emphasis on applications to Quantum Statistical Mechanics and Quantum Statistical Field Theory. We will present calculations of thermodynamic quantities for the anharmonic oscillator in contact with a heat bath, for interfaces in binary mixtures (or domain walls in magnetic systems) near criticality, and for scalar fields at finite temperature.
 
 

Department Colloquium

Topic:        Dimers and amoebas

Presenter:  Andrei OkounkovPrinceton University

Date:          Wednesday, November 20, 2002, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314

Abstract:    The amoeba of a plane complex curve is its image in the real plane under the map that takes coordinates to the logarithms of their absolute values. The dimer model on a planar graph is the study of all perfect matchings (that is, ways to partition all vertices into pairs of neighbors) on that graph. The dimer model has a long history in both mathematics and physics. In this talk, based on joint work with Richard Kenyon and Scott Scheffield, I will explain how to see amoebas in dimers.
 
 

Discrete Mathematics Seminar

Topic:      The Phase Transition in the Biased Integer Partitioning Problem

Presenter: Jennifer Chayes, Microsoft Research

Date:         Thursday, November 21, 2002, Time: 2:15  p.m., Location: Fine Hall 224

Abstract: Please click here to view abstract
 
 

Joint Princeton University/IAS Number Theory Seminar

Topic:        TBA

Presenter: Gautam Chinta,  Brown University

Date:          Thursday, November 21,  2002:  Time:  4:30, Location:  Fine Hall 322
 
 

Topology Seminar *** Please note change in time

Topic:        Link homology

Presenter:   Mikhail Khovanov, University of California at Davis

Date:          Thursday, November 21, 2002:  Time:  4:30p.m., Location:  Fine Hall 314
 
 

Geometric Analysis  Seminar

Topic:        A classification of conformally invariant differential operators on densities

Presenter:  Spyridon Alexakis, Princeton University

Date:          Friday, November 22, 2002, Time: 3:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314
 
 

Week of  November 25 - November 29, 2002
 
 

Analysis Seminar

Topic:       General relativity constraint equations : Their elliptic solution and their hyperbolic conservation laws

Presenter:  James W. YorkCornell University

Date:          Monday, November 25, 2002, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314
 
 

PACM Colloquium

Topic:        TBA

Presenter: Michael Celia, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University

Date:          Monday, November 25, 2002, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 214

Week of December 2 - December 6, 2002
 
 

Analysis Seminar

Topic:        TBA

Presenter:  Mihaela IftimeNortheastern University

Date:          Monday, December 2, 2002, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314
 
 

PACM Colloquium

Topic:        TBA

Presenter: Natalia Berloff, University of Cambridge

Date:          Monday, December 2, 2002, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 214
 
 

Department Colloquium

Topic:   $H^{1/2}$ with values into $S^1$ and the Ginzburg-Landau model in 3-d

Presenter:  Haim BrezisRutgers University and Paris VI

Date:          Wednesday, December 4, 2002, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314

Abstract: Please click here to view abstract
 
 

Discrete Mathematics Seminar

Topic:      TBA

Presenter: Peter Winkler, Bell Labs

Date:         Thursday, December 5, 2002, Time: 2:15  p.m., Location: Fine Hall 224
 
 

Joint Princeton University/IAS Number Theory Seminar

Topic:         TBA

Presenter:    Ling Long,  IAS

Date:           Thursday, December 5,  2002:  Time:  4:30, Location:  Fine Hall 322
 
 

Topology Seminar *** Please note change in time

Topic:        Ending laminations and the classification of hyperbolic 3-manifolds

Presenter:   Yair Minsky, SUNY at Stonybrook

Date:          Thursday, December 5, 2002:  Time:  4:30 p.m., Location:  Fine Hall 314
 
 

Geometric Analysis  Seminar

Topic:        TBA

Presenter:  Andrea Malchiodi, IAS

Date:          Friday, December 6, 2002, Time: 3:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314

Week of December 9 - December 13, 2002
 
 

Analysis Seminar

Topic:       TBA

Presenter:  Vincent MoncriefYale University

Date:          Monday, December 9, 2002, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314
 
 

Department Colloquium

Topic:        TBA

Presenter:  Ed WittenInstitute for Advanced Study

Date:          Wednesday, December 11, 2002, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314
 
 

Discrete Mathematics Seminar

Topic:       TBA

Presenter: Peter Keevash, Princeton University

Date:         Thursday, December 12, 2002, Time: 2:15  p.m., Location: Fine Hall 224
 
 

Joint Princeton University/IAS Number Theory Seminar

Topic:        TBA

Presenter: Yuval Flicker,  Ohio State University

Date:          Thursday, December 12,  2002:  Time:  4:30, Location:  Fine Hall 322
 
 

Topology Seminar *** Please note change in time

Topic:        Negative curvature and exotic smooth surfaces

Presenter:   Tom Farrell, State University of New York at Binghamton

Date:          Thursday, December 12, 2002:  Time:  4:30p.m., Location:  Fine Hall 314