Current Seminars
updated 3/19/ 2003

MARCH 19 - 21, 2003
Geometric Analysis Seminar 
Topic: Analytic torsion on Calabi-Yau moduli
Presenter:  Hao Fang, Courant Institute, New York University
Date:  Friday, March 21, 2003, Time: 3:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314
Abstract: Viewed as a function of the Kaehler metrics of Calabi-Yau manifolds, a special analytic torsion purposed by Bershadsky, Cecotti, Ooguri and Vafa is our subject of study. We illustrate its relations to the Weil-Peterson metric and Hodge metric on the moduli space and prove the effectiveness of the boundary of the moduli for a large class of Calabi-Yau. Furthermore, we analyze its variation in the Kaehler Cone, and its asymptotic behavior near the "nice" boundary of moduli space. As a result, for many examples (including Calabi-Yau quintic), we compute explicitly this torsion invariant as a modular function and confirm a Mirror Symmetry prediction. (joint work with Zhiqin Lu).
MARCH 24 - 28, 2003
PACM Colloquium  *** Please note special time
Topic: Weird Phase Transition in a Randomly Grown Graph
Presenter:  Steven Strogatz, Cornell University 
Date:  Monday, March 24, 2003, Time: 12:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 214
Abstract: We analyze a minimal model of a growing network. At each time step, a new vertex is added; then, with probability $\delta$, two vertices are chosen uniformly at random and joined by an undirected edge. This process is repeated for $t$ time steps. In the limit of large $t$, the resulting graph displays surprisingly rich characteristics. In particular, it appears that a giant component emerges in an infinite-order phase transition at $delta = 1/8,$ but it's still an open problem to prove this rigorously.  This is joint work with Duncan Callaway, John Hopcroft, Jon Kleinberg, and Mark Newman.
Analysis Seminar
Topic: TBA
Presenter:  Elon Lindenstrauss, Stanford University
Date:  Monday, March 24, 2003, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314
   
PACM Colloquium
Topic: New high-order, high-frequency methods in computational electromagnetism
Presenter:  Oscar Bruno, California Institute of Technology 
Date:  Monday, March 24, 2003, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 214
Abstract: We present a new set of algorithms and methodologies for the numerical solution of problems of scattering by complex bodies in three-dimensional space. These methods, which are based on integral equations, high-order integration, fast Fourier transforms and highly accurate high-frequency methods, can be used in the solution of problems of electromagnetic and acoustic scattering by surfaces and penetrable scatterers --- even in cases in which the scatterers contain geometric singularities such as corners and edges. In all cases the solvers exhibit high-order convergence, they run on low memories and reduced operation counts, and they result in solutions with a high degree of accuracy. In particular, our algorithms can evaluate accurately in a personal computer scattering from hundred-wavelength-long objects by direct solution of integral equations --- a goal, otherwise achievable today only by supercomputing. A new class of high-order surface representation methods will be discussed, which allows for accurate high-order description of surfaces from a given CAD representation. A class of high-order high-frequency methods which we developed recently, finally, are efficient where our direct methods become costly, thus leading to a general and accurate computational methodology which is applicable and accurate for the whole range of frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum.
Algebraic Geometry Seminar
Topic: An Introduction to the Geometry of Hessenberg varieties
Presenter:  Julianna Tymoczko, Princeton University
Date:  Tuesday, March 25, 2003, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 322
Abstract: Hessenberg varieties form a family of subvarieties of the flag variety.  Significant examples include the Springer fiber (whose cohomology gives the irreducible Weyl group representations) and the Peterson variety (which can be stratified so that the open stratum's coordinate ring gives the quantum cohomology of the flag variety).  I will discuss Hessenberg varieties, some important special cases, and give some description of their geometric structure.
Discrete Mathematics Seminar
Topic: Learning a hidden matching with application to whole-genome sequencing
Presenter:  Benny Sudakov, Princeton University and the Institute for Advanced Study
Date:  Wednesday, March 26, 2003, Time: 2:15 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 224
Abstract: Click here to see abstract
Department Colloquium
Topic: List decoding of error-correcting codes
Presenter:  Madhu Sudan, MIT
Date:  Wednesday, March 26, 2003, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314
Abstract: The task of dealing with errors (or correcting them) lies at the very heart of communication and computation.  The mathematical foundations for this task were laid in two concurrent and interdependent works by Shannon and Hamming in the late 1940s. The two theories are strikingly powerful and distinct in their modelling of the error. Shannon's theory models errors as effected by a probabilistic/stochastic process, while Hamming envisions them as being introduced by an adversary. While the two theories share a lot in the underlying tools, the quantitative results are sharply diverging. Shannon's theory shows that a channel that corrupt (arbitrarily) close to 50% of the transmitted bits can still be used for transmission of information.  Hamming's theory in contrast has often been interpreted to suggest it can handle at most 25% error on a binary channel.  So what can we do if an adversary is given the power to introduce more than 25% errors? Can we protect information against this, or do we just have to give up?  The notion of list-decoding addresses precisely this question, and shows that under a relaxed notion of "decoding" (or recovering from errors), the quantitative gaps between the Shannon and Hamming theories can be bridged. In this talk, we will describe this notion and some recent algorithmic developments.
   
Ergodic Theory and Statistical Analysis Seminar 
Topic: Universality of discrete orthogonal polynomial ensemble
Presenter:  Jinho Baik, Princeton University
Date:  Thursday, March 27, 2003, Time: 2:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 214
Abstract: In the random matrix theory, it is known that in the bulk scaling limit, the correlation functions of the scaled eigenvalues are universal (sine kernel) for a general class of unitary invariant measure on Hermitian matrices. The density function of the eigenvalues of unitary invariant measure is given by the Coulomb gas of beta=2 with certain external (continuous) potential. In this talk, we replace the potential by pure point measure. We prove the universality for a general class of pure point measures when we take continuum limit and bulk scaling limit simultaneously. An application of this result is the computation of the local correlation functions of random hexagon tiling.  This is a joint work with Thomas Kriecherbauer, Ken McLaughlin and Peter Miller.
Cohomology of Groups  *** Please note NEW SEMINAR 
Topic: Finite dimensional G-spaces
Presenter:  William Browder, Princeton University
Date:  Thursday, March 27, 2003, Time: 3:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 801
Abstract:

Borel in 1957 gave a construction which turned an arbitraryG-space into a free G-space, by multiplying by a free contractible G-space.  When can one determine if a given free space X is the end product of such a construction (up to some kind of homotopy)?  If G is a finite p-group and if X has the p homology type of a finite complex, and a condition on fundamental group, then X is the mod p type of a finite G-space.  This relies on the Smith theorem for homotopy fixed points proved by Lannes-Zarati and by Dwyer-Wilkerson.  This was inspired by and generalizes work of Grodal and Smith in the case where X is a sphere.

Joint Institute for Advanced Study /Princeton University/ Rutgers University Non-Linear Analysis Seminar
Topic: Topological Singularity in some Non-linear PDE Problems
Presenter:  Fang-Hua Lin, Courant Institute, New York University
Date:  Thursday, March 27, 2003, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 214
Abstract:
Many interesting natural phenomena contain some sort of singular behavior and are often manifested through energy concentrations.  Singularities of solutions of Partial Differential Equations which describe these phenomena are, therefore, an important part of facets.  One can divide these singularities into two basic categories:  topological and non-topological.  There are many examples of non-topological singularities such as spikes in the reaction-diffusion systems, concentrated vorticities in the Euler or the Navier-Stokes equations.  Singularities in these examples may or may not carry quantified amounts of energy.  On the other hand, the topological singularities often not only carry a definite topological information but also a quantified amount of energy.  Because of this, they are often more stable energetically and dynamically.  The purpose of this lecture is to describe some recent works on analysis of topological singularity in some variational and evolution problems.
Joint Institute for Advanced Study /Princeton University/ Rutgers University Number Theory Seminar
Topic: On the class number one problem for some special real quadratic fields
Presenter:  Andras Biro, Budapest
Date:  Thursday, March 27, 2003, Time: 4:15 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 322
Topology Seminar
Topic: Hyperbolic Manifolds with Convex Boundary
Presenter:  Jean-Marc Schlenker, Université Paul Sabatier
Date:  Thursday, March 27, 2003, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314
Abstract:
Let M be a compact 3-manifold with boundary, which admits a convex co-compact hyperbolic metric. One can describe the hyperbolic metrics on M for which the boundary is smooth and strictly convex.
Theorem A: the induced metrics have curvature K>-1, and each is obtained for a unique hyperbolic metric on M.
Theorem B: the third fundamental forms of the boundary have curvature K<1, and their closed geodesics which are contractible in M have length L>2\pi. Each is obtained for a unique hyperbolic metric on M.
Theorem B has analogs when the boundary is supposed to look locally like an ideal or a hyperideal polyhedron. As a consequence, we find an extension of the Koebe circle packing theorem when the sphere is replaced by the boundary of M.
Geometric Analysis Seminar 
Topic: TBA
Presenter:  Jie Qing, UC at Santa Cruz
Date:  Friday, March 28, 2003, Time: 3:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314
MARCH 31 - APRIL 4, 2003
Analysis Seminar
Topic: Quasi-Periodic Solutions for Non-Linear Random Schrodinger Equation
Presenter:  Wei-Min Wang, Institute for Advanced Study
Date:  Monday, March 31, 2003, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314
Abstract: I start the talk by giving an overview of the problem and related issues. I then sketch the construction of time quasi-periodic solutions for discrete non-linear Schrodinger equation, using a Newton scheme and Lyapunov- Schmidt P and Q decompositions. The main new dificulty is the concurrence of small divisors from the original linear equation and that from the non-linearity. This is joint work with J. Bourgain.
   
PACM Colloquium
Topic: TBA
Presenter:  Anna-Karin Tornberg, Courant Institute, New York University
Date:  Monday, March 31, 2003, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 214
Analysis Seminar   *** Please note special date
Topic: Linability and spaceability of some nonlinear sets in Function Spaces
Presenter:  Vladimir Gurariy, Kent State University
Date:  Tuesday, April 1, 2003, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314
Abstract: The set M in Vector space X is said to be n-linable ( linable ) in X if M contains a linear manifold Y such that dimY=n ( corr. dimY=infinity ),(if X is Topological vector space and Y is closed infinitedimensional then M is said to be spaceable). In last years were discovered surprisingly many " very nonlinear " sets in Function Spaces, which are linable or even spaceable. For example, the set of nowhere differentiable functions on [0,1] is spaceable in C[0,1]( V.P.Fonf,V.I.Gurariy, M.I.Kadec, 1991).  We present some new results in this direction, including following result of author together with Per Enflo: " The set of functions in C with infinitely many zeroes on [0,1] is spaceable any infinitedimensional subspace X of C". In particular this gives positive answer on old question on existence such nontrivial function in X.
 
Algebraic Geometry Seminar
Topic: TBA
Presenter:  Gavril Farkas, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Date:  Tuesday, April 1, 2003, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 322
Mathematical Physics Seminar 
Topic: Lifshits tails in magnetic fields
Presenter:  Simone Warzel, Univ. Erlangen-Nuernberg
Date:  Tuesday, April 1, 2003, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Jadwin A06
Geometric Analysis Seminar   *** Please note special date and location
Topic: Regularity of biharmonic maps into Riemannian manifolds
Presenter:  Changyou Wang, University of Kentucky
Date:  Wednesday, April 2, 2003, Time: 3:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 322
Abstract: In this talk, I will consider both intrinsic and extrinsic biharmonic maps into general Riemannian manifolds. I will sketch the ideas to prove smoothness of biharmonic maps from domains of dimension four and partial regularity for stationary biharmonic maps from domains of dimensions five or above. The same theorems were previously proved by Chang-Wang-Yang when the target manifold is the standard sphere.
Department Colloquium
Topic: TBA
Presenter:  Stanislav Smirnov, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm
Date:  Wednesday, April 2, 2003, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314
Ergodic Theory and Statistical Analysis Seminar 
Topic: Ergodic properties of boundary actions
Presenter:  Tatiana Nagnibeda, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm
Date:  Thursday, April 3, 2003, Time: 2:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 214
Abstract: We shall discuss ergodic properties of the action of a subgroup H of a free group F on the Poisson boundary of the simple random walk on F.  The action is ergodic if and only if the quotient F/H admit no non-constant bounded harmonic function.  Methods from combinatorial group theory allow us to identify the conservative and the dissipative part of the action.  We also present necessary and sufficient conditions of conservativity of the action in terms of geometry of the quotient.  This is a joint work with R. Grigorhcuk and V. Kaimanovich.
Topology Seminar
Topic: TBA
Presenter:  John Morgan, Columbia University
Date:  Thursday, April 3, 2003, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314
 APRIL 7 - APRIL 11, 2003
PACM Colloquium
Topic:

Interval analysis and set-membership techniques in estimation

Presenter:  Isabelle Braems, MAE, Princeton University 
Date:  Monday, April 7, 2003, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 214
Abstract: Interval analysis has been developed more than four decades ago to control numerical round-off errors in computers, in a rigorous way. It has then reached many other fields (assisted proof demonstrations, numerical simulation, estimation…) and applications (biology, chemical engineering, economics, computer vision, robotics…) where guaranteed computations are essential. In this talk we shall focus on parameter and state estimation problem. We will emphasize how interval analysis permits to estimate in a guaranteed way a reliable enclosure of all the global minima in optimization problems, or of all the acceptable solutions in the bounded-error context. This talk will first briefly present (or recall) the bases of interval analysis. Several applications -including non-identifiable kinetic parameteridentification, reliable characterization of a thermal set-up, and robot localization- will illustrate the performance of this approach.
Algebraic Geometry Seminar
Topic: TBA
Presenter:  Nikos Tziolas, Max Planck Institute
Date:  Tuesday, April 8, 2003, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 322
Department Colloquium
Topic: TBA
Presenter:  Percy Deift, New York University
Date:  Wednesday, April 9, 2003, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314
Geometric Analysis Seminar 
Topic: A Bernstein problem for special Lagrangian equations
Presenter:  Yu Yuan, University of Washington
Date:  Friday, April 11, 2003, Time: 3:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314
Abstract: In this talk, we derive a Bernstein type result for the special Lagrangian equation, namely, any global convex solution must be quadratic. In terms of minimal surfaces, the result says that any global minimal Lagrangian graph with convex potential must be a hyper-plane.
APRIL 14 - APRIL 18, 2003
PACM Colloquium
Topic: TBA
Presenter:  Russel Caflisch, University of California at Los Angeles 
Date:  Monday, April 14, 2003, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 214
Topology Seminar
Topic: TBA
Presenter:  Alejandro Adem, University of Wisconsen
Date:  Thursday, April 17, 2003, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314
Geometric Analysis Seminar 
Topic: TBA
Presenter:  Aobing Li, Rutgers University
Date:  Friday, April 18, 2003, Time: 3:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314
APRIL 21 - APRIL 25, 2003
Analysis Seminar
Topic: From Hilbert's variational principle to Einstein's equations as a well posed initial value problem
Presenter:  James York, Cornell University
Date:  Monday, April 21, 2003, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314
PACM Colloquium
Topic: TBA
Presenter:  Carlos Castillo-Chavez, Cornell University 
Date:  Monday, April 21, 2003, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 214
Algebraic Geometry Seminar
Topic: TBA
Presenter:  Jason Starr, MIT
Date:  Tuesday, April 22, 2003, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 322
Department Colloquium
Topic: Stationary Determinantal Processes (Fermionic Lattice Gases)
Presenter:  Russell Lyons, Indiana University
Date:  Wednesday, April 23, 2003, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314
Abstract Eigenvalues of random matrices arise in various areas of physics and mathematics.  The most-studied such probability measures have a determinantal form.  Several people have studied other specific determinantal processes, as well as a general theory.   We shall discuss the general theory of stationary random fields on integer lattices that are defined via minors of multi-dimensional Toeplitz matrices. Explicit examples include combinatorial models, finitely dependent processes, and renewal processes in one dimension. Among the interesting properties of these processes, we focus mainly on whether they have a phase transition analogous to that which occurs in statistical mechanics.  We describe necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of such a phase transition and give several examples to illustrate the theorem.  This is joint work with Jeff Steif.
Joint Institute for Advanced Study /Princeton University/ Rutgers University Number Theory Seminar
Topic: Are motivic L-functions rational?
Presenter:  M. Larson, Indiana
Date:  Thursday, April 24, 2003, Time: 4:15 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 322
Geometric Analysis Seminar 
Topic: TBA
Presenter:  Xiaodong Wang, MIT
Date:  Friday, April 25, 2003, Time: 3:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314
APRIL 28 - MAY 2, 2003
PACM Colloquium
Topic: On the time evolution and steady states for inelastic Boltzmann equations
Presenter:  Irene Gamba, University of Texas
Date:  Monday, April 28, 2003, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 214
Algebraic Geometry Seminar
Topic: TBA
Presenter:  Tomohide Terasoma, Institute for Advanced Study
Date:  Tuesday, April 29, 2003, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 322
Department Colloquium
Topic: TBA
Presenter:  S.R.Srinivasa Varadhan, New York University
Date:  Wednesday, April 30, 2003, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314
 MAY 5 - MAY 9, 2003
Department Colloquium
Topic: The lost proof of Loewner's theorem
Presenter:  Barry Simon, Caltech
Date:  Wednesday, May 7, 2003, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314
Abstract A real-valued function, F, on an interval (a,b) is called matrix monotone if F(A) < F(B) whenever A and B are finite matrices of the same order with eigenvalues in (a,b) and A < B. In 1934, Loewner proved the remarkable theorem that F is matrix monotone if and only if F is real analytic with continuations to the upper and lower half planes so that Im F > 0 in the upper half plane.  This deep theorem has evoked enormous interest over the years and a number of alternate proofs. There is a lovely 1954 proof that seems to have been "lost" in that the proof is not mentioned in various books and review article presentations of the subject, and I have found no references to the proof since 1960. The proof uses continued fractions.  I'll provide background on the subject and then discuss the lost proof and a variant of that proof which I've found, which avoids the need for estimates, and proves a stronger theorem.
 MAY 12 - MAY 16, 2003
Algebraic Geometry Seminar
Topic: TBA
Presenter:  B. Guralnick
Date:  Tuesday, May 13, 2003, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 322