Time: July 4 (Wednesday) 15:00-16:00

Place: N902

Speaker: Michele Tienni (Harvard University)

Title: Subfactors and Topological Quantum Field Theories
Abstract: We review the theory of topological quantum field theories (TQFTs) , particularly in relation to the work of A. Ocneanu. TQFTs allow us (among other things) to compute invariants of closed manifolds. Conversely, some manifold invariants allow us to construct TQFTs. An example of the latter approach appears in Ocneanu's work in subfactor theory. We analyze this TQFT and its relation to the theory of sectors in the work of M. Izumi.