Project description
A novel topological quantum field theory: new insight and invariants of knots and 3-manifolds
Quantum field theory is the theoretical framework for the study of particle physics. Topological quantum field theories (TQFTs) describe spaces whose properties are preserved under continuous deformations, such as a recently discovered exotic class of quantum materials (topological materials) including topological insulators. The European Research Council-funded QuantGeomLangTFT project will use its novel 4D-TQFT, the Quantum Geometric Langlands (QGL) and other techniques in derived algebraic geometry and quantum groups to construct quantisations of character varieties. These will be used to gain insight into the geometric representation theory of quantum groups and double affine Hecke algebras, and to produce new invariants of knots and 3-manifolds.
Objective
We will use modern techniques in derived algebraic geometry, topological field theory and quantum groups to construct quantizations of character varieties, moduli spaces parameterizing G-bundles with flat connection on a surface. We will leverage our construction to shine new light on the geometric representation theory of quantum groups and double affine Hecke algebras (DAHA's), and to produce new invariants of knots and 3-manifolds.
Our previous research has uncovered strong evidence for the existence of a novel construction of quantum differential operators -- and their extension to higher genus surfaces -- in terms of a four-dimensional topological field theory, which we have dubbed the Quantum Geometric Langlands (QGL) theory. By construction, the QGL theory of a surface yields a quantization of its character variety; quantum differential operators form just the first interesting example. We thus propose the following long-term projects:
1. Build higher genus analogs of DAHA's, equipped with mapping class group actions -- thereby solving a long open problem -- by computing QGL theory of arbitrary surfaces; recover quantum differential operators and the (non-degenerate, spherical) DAHA of G, respectively, from the once-punctured and closed two-torus.
2. Obtain a unified construction of both the quantized A-polynomial and the Oblomkov-Rasmussen-Shende invariants, two celebrated -- and previously unrelated -- conjectural knot invariants which have received a great deal of attention.
3. By studying special features of our construction when the quantization parameter is a root of unity, realize the Verlinde algebra as a module over the DAHA, shedding new light on fundamental results of Cherednik and Witten.
4. Develop genus one, and higher, quantum Springer theory -- a geometric approach to constructing representations of quantum algebras -- with deep connections to rational and elliptic Springer theory, and geometric Langlands program.
Fields of science
- natural sciencesmathematicsapplied mathematicsmathematical physics
- natural sciencesmathematicspure mathematicstopologyalgebraic topology
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesclassical mechanicsstatistical mechanics
- natural sciencesmathematicspure mathematicsgeometry
- natural sciencesmathematicspure mathematicsalgebraalgebraic geometry
Programme(s)
Topic(s)
Funding Scheme
ERC-STG - Starting GrantHost institution
EH8 9YL Edinburgh
United Kingdom