Algebra/Topology Seminar

Speaker: Araminta Gwynne

Title: Deformation Theory and Supersymmetric Quantum Mechanics

Abstract: There is a deep relationship between deformation theory for symplectic manifolds and quantizing field theories. In this talk, I'll discuss this story for symplectic supermanifolds and supersymmetric mechanics. We will approach these questions using modern descent techniques that work more generally for factorization algebras associated to higher-dimensional field theories. Relations to manifold invariants such as the L-genus will also be discussed. No physics knowledge is required.