GoingToMeet

Some of the most exciting current research in geometry and topology has been motivated by problems in mathematical physics in general, and string theory in particular. Physicists are still divided concerning the usefulness of string theory as a ``unified field theory,'' uniting our understanding of all the fundamental forces of nature. However, even if string theory should turn out not to be fully confirmed by experiment, the fascinating and beautiful mathematics it has generated is expected to retain its mathematical value.

The subject of the conference will involve a number of such ``spin-offs'' of string theory into pure mathematics, and the way they connect with other topics in topology and operator algebras that were initially developed for other purposes. The conference will focus largely on the rich interaction between these and other important concepts of current interest. Topics from pure mathematics will include K-theory and twisted K-theory, continuous-trace algebras and the Dixmier-Douady invariant, crossed product C*-algebras and their K-theory, bundles, and homotopy theory. The lecturer will develop parts of these subjects in their own right, as well as discussing their relevance to the very active current research in mathematical physics concerning dualities between various string theories, especially T-duality and S-duality.