NS@50: Fifty Years of the Narasimhan-Seshadri Theorem

Workshop 5 – 9 October, and Conference 12 – 16 October 2015

Chennai Mathematical Institute

 

  • The Narasimhan–Seshadri Theorem establishes a correspondence between stable vector bundles over a compact Riemann surface and unitary representations of the fundamental group of the surface. Since its publication in 1965, this result has played a central role in many branchs of mathematics, including differential geometry, algebraic geometry, low dimensional topology, Teichmueller theory, etc., and more surprisingly in various areas of theoretical physics, like conformal field theory and string theory.
  • The goal of this activity is to present a comprehensive view of some of the most important developments that have taken place in the last 50 years derived from the Narasimhan-Seshadri Theorem, and explore further directions of the theory.
  • The themes to be covered will include: Vector bundles, Principal bundles, Higgs bundles, Parabolic bundles and Higgs bundles, Surface group representations, Gauge theory on higher dimensional Kahler manifolds, Real bundles and Higgs bundles, Geometric Langlands correspondence, Mirror symmetry and Higgs bundles, Irregular connections.
  • There will be background talks delivered by the organizing team, historical talks given by Narasimhan and Seshadri, invited research talks, and minicourses.