Abstract: Consider a random matrix with i.i.d. normal entries. Since its distribution is invariant under rotations, any normalized eigenvector is uniformly distributed over the unit sphere. For a general distribution of the entries, this is no longer true. Yet, if the size of the matrix is large, the eigenvectors are distributed approximately uniformly. This property, called delocalization, can be quantified in various senses. In these lectures, we will discuss recent results on delocalization for general random matrices.
Title: Harmonic maps with prescribed singularities and applications to general relativity
Abstract: We will present a general theory of existence and uniqueness for harmonic maps with prescribed singularities into Riemannian manifolds with non-positive curvature. The singularities are prescribed along submanifolds of co-dimension 2. This result generalizes one from 1996, and is motivated by a number of recent applications in general relativity including:
* a lower bound on the ADM mass in terms of charge and angular momentum for multiple black holes;
Let H be a self-adjoint operator defined on an infinite dimensional Hilbert space. Given some
spectral information about H, such as the continuity of its spectral measure, what can be said about
the asymptotic spectral properties of its finite dimensional approximations? This is a natural (and
general) question, and can be used to frame many specific problems such as the asymptotics of zeros of
orthogonal polynomials, or eigenvalues of random matrices. We shall discuss some old and new results
Title: Sharp arithmetic spectral transitions and universal hierarchical structure of quasiperiodic eigenfunctions.
Abstract: A very captivating question in solid state physics
is to determine/understand the hierarchical structure of spectral features
of operators describing 2D Bloch electrons in perpendicular magnetic
fields, as related to the continued fraction expansion of the magnetic
flux. In particular, the hierarchical behavior of the eigenfunctions of
the almost Mathieu operators, despite signifi cant numerical studies and
Abstract: Consider a random matrix with i.i.d. normal entries. Since its distribution is invariant under rotations, any normalized eigenvector is uniformly distributed over the unit sphere. For a general distribution of the entries, this is no longer true. Yet, if the size of the matrix is large, the eigenvectors are distributed approximately uniformly. This property, called delocalization, can be quantified in various senses. In these lectures, we will discuss recent results on delocalization for general random matrices.
How should we partition the Gaussian space into k parts in a way that minimizes Gaussian surface area, maximize correlation or simulate a specific distribution. The problem of Gaussian partitions was studied since the 70s first as a generalization of the isoperimetric problem in the context of the heat equation. It found a renewed interest in the context of the double bubble theorem proven in geometric measure theory and due to connection to problems in theoretical computer science and social choice theory. Read more about Jerusalem Analysis Seminar: "Optimal Gaussian Partitions", Elchanan Mossel (MIT)
Title: Asymptotics of Christoffel functions in an unbounded setting
Abstract:
Consider a measure $\mu$ supported on the real line with all moments finite.
Let $(p_n : n \geq 0)$ be the corresponding sequence of orthonormal
polynomials. This sequence satisfies the three-term recurrence relation
\[
a_{n-1} p_{n-1}(x) + b_n p_n(x) a_n p_{n+1}(x) = x p_n(x) \quad (n > 0)
\]
for some sequences $a$ and $b$.
One defines the $n$th Christoffel function by
\[
\lambda_n(x) = \left[ \sum_{k=0}^n p_k(x)^2 \right]^{-1}.
\]
We discuss sharp asymptotics of the ground state energy for the heavy atoms and molecules in the relativistic settings, without magnetic field or with the self-generated magnetic field, and, in particular, relativistic Scott correction term and also Dirac, Schwinger and relativistic correction terms. In particular, we conclude that the Thomas-Fermi density approximates the actual density of the ground state, which opens the way to estimate the excessive negative and positive charges and the ionization energy.
In this talk we will discuss the global fluctuations for a class of determinantal point processes coming from large systems of non-colliding processes and non-intersecting paths. By viewing the paths as level lines these systems give rise to random (stepped) surfaces. When the number of paths is large a limit shape appears. The fluctuations for the random surfaces are believed to be universally described by the Gaussian Free Field.
Abstract: Cryo-EM is an imaging technology that is revolutionizing structural biology; the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2017 was recently awarded to Jacques Dubochet, Joachim Frank and Richard Henderson “for developing cryo-electron microscopy for the high-resolution structure determination of biomolecules in solution".
Given a closed smooth Riemannian manifold M, the Laplace operator is known to possess a discrete spectrum of eigenvalues going to infinity. We are interested in the properties of the nodal sets and nodal domains of corresponding eigenfunctions in the high energy limit.
We focus on some recent results on the size of nodal domains
and tubular neighbourhoods of nodal sets of such high energy eigenfunctions (joint work with Bogdan Georgiev).
Abstract:
A (countable) group G is homogeneous if whenever g,h are tupples of the same type in G, there is an automorphism of G sending g to h.
We give a characterization of freely-indecomposable torsion-free hyperbolic groups which are homogeneous, in terms of a particular decomposition as a graph of groups - their JSJ decomposition. This is joint work with Chloe Perin.
Abstract: Knot Floer homology is an invariant for knots in the three-sphere defined using methods from symplectic geometry. I will describe a new algebraic formulation of this invariant which leads to a reasonably efficient computation of these invariants. This is joint work with Zoltan Szabo.
