Extensions of index theory inspired by scattering theory (17frg668)

The Banff International Research Station will host the "Extensions of index theory inspired by scattering theory" workshop in Banff from June 18 to June 25, 2017

In mathematics one uses index theory to calculate quantities that characterise higher dimensional surfaces.
In the study of mathematical models of low temperature matter there are topological quantum numbers that
can in some instances be calculated by index theory. This overlap between methods employed in both fields
may be exploited by developing new tools that more effectively calculate invariants for geometric problems
that arise in practical situations. We are especially interested in theoretical work on new materials such as
graphene and topological insulators where index theory methods have been speculated to apply, but to date
with limited success. We aim to rectify this and resolve questions about the quantum numbers used in these
models of low temperature matter.

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 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), Alberta's Advanced Education and Technology, and Mexico's Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT).