mlbaker-run seminar on semisimple Lie theory, Hopf algebras, symmetric functions, and pretty much whatever else I feel like

Waterloo, Spring 2014

Michael Baker


Meetings: Thursdays 4-6pm in MC 4062. Talk information will be posted on the Pure Mathematics department page as well as on this page.

Since I have a lot of free time this summer, I decided to run a seminar. Currently we are discussing the structure and representation theory of semisimple Lie algebras; later on we may talk about Hopf algebras and symmetric functions (and some places in enumerative combinatorics where these things crop up, and the connections to representation theory). There is pretty much no upper bound on how bizarre the talks could get. Anyway, I will always be available afterwards to talk about things if there are questions.

Also, I don't intend to spend much time covering material that you either have seen, or will likely end up seeing, in a course (for example PMATH 763 which is being taught here next Winter). I will define everything and state results, but I will omit laborious proofs if they are a bit tangential to the topic at hand (for example, the Baker-Campbell-Hausdorff formula for \( \log( e^X e^Y ) \), or certain properties of the exponential mapping and so on). Even if you have no idea what a Lie group or Lie algebra is, you can still participate as long as you are willing to accept things on faith or read about them on your own: this is not supposed to be an introduction to Lie theory.

I will make an effort to post very detailed slides of the material covered. I will be away July 3.

Some background notes aka "PMATH 365 in a box" - new multilinear algebra material added June 8

References

May

June

July

August