Algebra Seminar: Will Donovan -- Geometrification of monodromy for hypergeometric systems

This week we will have Will Donovan (Tsinghua University) speaking in the algebra
seminar.  We will go out for lunch after the talk.  

When: Friday 12 April, 12-1pm 

Where: Carslaw 273 (Note the new location!) 

Title: Geometrification of monodromy for hypergeometric systems 

Abstract: The Gauss hypergeometric equation controls solutions of second-order linear
differential equations with three regular singular points.  These solutions encompass a
zoo of special functions, with rich and useful structure.  Moving the complex variable
around a singular point in the domain leads to a monodromy action on the solutions.  I
will explain a ’geometrification’ of this action, using the K-theory of Calabi-Yau
3-folds.  If time permits, I will introduce work in progress with Weilin Su extending
this to multi-parameter analogs of the Gauss equation, via a further ’categorification’
using the derived category of coherent sheaves.