The Algebra Seminar

Spring 2012

The seminar meets Tuesdays in room LN 2205 at 2:50 p.m. There will be refreshments in the Anderson Reading Room at 4:00.

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February 7: Andrew Linshaw, Brandeis University
Title: Jet schemes and invariant theory
Abstract: Given a complex, reductive algebraic group G and a G-module V, the mth jet scheme G_m acts on the mth jet scheme V_m, for all m > 0. I will discuss the ring of G_m invariant functions on V_m, and its relationship to the ring of functions on (V//G)_m, where V//G is the categorical quotient. Time permitting, I will discuss some applications of our results to vertex algebras. This is a joint work with Gerald Schwarz (Brandeis) and Bailin Song (University of Science and Technology of China).

February 14 : Somnath Basu
Title: An introduction to A-infinity algebras
Abstract: A-infinity algebras were invented by Jim Stasheff in the early sixties to detect loop spaces. It was developed further by various people towards applications in topology. In the 90's, these infinity structures (Lie-infinity, C-infinity, and E-infinity to name a few) turned out to be extremely relevant in geometry and physics. In this talk we shall give an elementary overview of A-infinity structures.

February 21 : Simon Smith, Syracuse University
Title: Primitive permutation groups with a finite regular suborbit
Abstract: In the 7th Issue of the Kourovka Notebook, A. N. Fomin asks the following question: What are the primitive permutation groups (finite and infinite) which have a regular suborbit, that is, in which a point stabilizer acts faithfully and regularly on at least one of its orbits? In this talk I'll give an answer to Fomin's question for infinite primitive permutation groups with a finite regular suborbit.