Symplectic and Differential Geometry Seminar
   Vanderbilt University
   Fall 2011

   Organizers:  Basak Gurel and Ioana Suvaina

   Wednesdays, 3:10-4:00pm in SC 1310 (unless otherwise noted)

   Related seminars also announced.

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011,  2:10-3:00pm in SC 1312

Speaker: Michael Brandenbursky, Vanderbilt University

Title: Quasi-morphisms, quasi-isometric, embeddings and groups of volume preserving diffeomorphisms, I

Abstract:  Let $M$ be a compact connected Riemannian manifold. In this series of talks I will discuss quasi-isometric embeddings
 of several finitely-generated groups into the group volume-preserving diffeomorphisms of $M$ equipped with L^p-metric. In case
when $M$ is a 2-disc, I will show that there exists an infinite (linearly-independent) family of quasi-morphisms on the group of
area-preserving diffeomorphisms of a 2-disc that is Lipschitz w.r.t. the  L^p-metric. Using this fact I will give an example of an quasi-isometric
embedding of infinitely generated monoid into the above group.
 
During my talks I will briefly discuss definition and properties of the celebrated Calabi homomorphism, braid groups, diffeomorphisms
groups, quasi-morphisms, and quasi-isometric embeddings of groups and monoids. No prior knowledge will be assumed.
Everybody is welcome, especially graduate students.

 

Monday, October 3rd, 2011, 2:10-3:00pm in SC 1312

Speaker: Michael Brandenbursky, Vanderbilt University

Title: Quasi-morphisms, quasi-isometric, embeddings and groups of volume preserving diffeomorphisms, II

Abstract: see above


Monday, October 17th, 2011, 2:10-3:00pm in SC 1312

Speaker: Michael Brandenbursky, Vanderbilt University

Title: Quasi-morphisms, quasi-isometric, embeddings and groups of volume preserving diffeomorphisms, III

                  Abstract: 

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011, 2:10-3:00pm in SC 1312

Speaker: Michael Brandenbursky, Vanderbilt University

Title: Quasi-morphisms, quasi-isometric, embeddings and groups of volume preserving diffeomorphisms, IV

                  Abstract: 


Thursday, October 20th, 2011, COLLOQUIUM

Speaker: Michael Anderson, Stony Brook University

Title: Einstein metrics and minimal surfaces  

                  Abstract:

 

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011, 3:10-4:00pm in SC 1310

Speaker: Luca F. Di Cerbo, Duke University

Title: Finite volume complex hyperbolic surfaces and Seiberg-Witten equations

                  Abstract:  We derive an obstruction to the existence of cuspidal Einstein metrics on finite-volume complex surfaces.
                    This generalizes a theorem of LeBrun for compact complex surfaces. As in the compact case, such a result relies on a
                    scalar curvature estimate. Finally, the obstruction is made explicit on some examples.








Old Seminar Web-Pages: Fall 2009, Fall 2010, Spring 2011