Topics in Von Neumann Algebras (08w5093)

Organizers

Juliana Erlijman (University of Regina)

Hans Wenzl (University of California, San Diego)

Description

The Banff International Research Centre will host top researchers in its workshop on von Neumann algebras next week, March 23-28. Among them will be leading figures in the study of von Neumann algebras including Dan Voiculescu (Berkeley), Sorin Popa (UCLA) and Uffe Haagerup (Odense) as well as experts in related subjects, among them Nicolas Monod (Geneva), group theory and Zhenghan Wang (Microsoft), quantum computing.

There have been exciting developments in the theory of von Neumann algebras with close connections to recent works in quantum mechanics, topology and representation theory of infinite groups. Major emphasis will be given to Popa's recent break-throughs in von Neumann algebras which are connected to rigidity theorems in group theory as well as to Jones' subfactor theory. The latter already had deep applications in topology and intriguing connections toquantum field theory. It also inspired at least in part Freedman's work on quantum computing. The workshop will be a great opportunity for the participants to make further progress on these exciting topics, as well as for younger people to get exposed to the latest developments.


The Banff International Research Station for Mathematical Innovation and Discovery (BIRS) is a collaborative Canada-US-Mexico venture that provides an environment for creative interaction as well as the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and methods within the Mathematical Sciences, with related disciplines and with industry. The research station is located at The Banff Centre in Alberta and is supported by Canada's Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the US National Science Foundation (NSF), Alberta's Advanced Education and Technology, and Mexico's Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT).