Rupert Frank
Princeton University and Caltech
October 12, 2012 from 16:00 to 18:00 (Montreal/EST time) On location
Colloquium presented by Rupert Frank (Princeton University and Caltech)
There are many examples in mathematics, both pure and applied, in which problems with symmetric formulations have non-symmetric solutions. Sometimes this symmetry breaking is total, but often the symmetry breaking is only partial. One technique that can sometimes be used to constrain the symmetry breaking is reflection positivity. It is a simple and useful concept that will be explained in the talk, together with some examples. One of these concerns the minimum eigenvalues of the Laplace operator on a distorted hexagonal lattice. Another example that we will discuss is a functional inequality due to Onofri. The talk is based on joint work with E. Lieb.
Address
UQAM, Pav. Sherbrooke, 200, rue Sherbrooke O., room SH-3420