Quantum Mathematics Seminar: Andrea Brini (Sheffield)

Quantum Maths Seminar, external speaker, in-person talk

Speaker: Andrea Brini (University of Sheffield)

Title: Topological gauge/string duality and geometry

Abstract: I will discuss a set of correspondences linking certain topological gauge theories in real dimension three with a class of topological string theories on complex three-dimensional spacetimes. As each side of the correspondence is known to give rise to sophisticated geometric invariants, these correspondences provide an unexpected connection between them. I'll set the stage by discussing the simplest example; I'll then outline a proof of a relation between quantum invariants of Seifert manifolds with Gromov-Witten invariants of certain local Calabi-Yau threefolds; and I'll end by waving my hands with some speculative relation between knot invariants and Landau-Ginzburg mirror symmetry.