Non-vector-bundle Thom spectra and applications to anomalies

PIRSA ID: 23040083
Event Type: Seminar
Scientific Area(s):
Mathematical Physics
End date:
Speaker(s):
  • Arun Debray, Purdue University

There is a by now standard procedure for calculating twisted spin, spin^c, and string bordism groups for applications in physics: realize the twist as arising from a vector bundle, which allows one to split the corresponding Thom spectrum and greatly simplify the Adams spectral sequence computation. Not all twists arise from vector bundles, but Matthew Yu and I noticed that if you ignore this fact and pretend that everything is OK, you still get the right answer! In this talk, I'll discuss a theorem Matthew and I proved explaining this, by calculating the input to Baker-Lazarev's version of the Adams spectral sequence. Then I will discuss applications to anomalies of some quantum field theories and supergravity theories.

Zoom link:  https://pitp.zoom.us/j/93508575689?pwd=YVV6VlRwL1RGSG55V0cwTzdpUWROUT09