DIFFERENTIAL GEOMETRY SEMINAR

 

"The Monge –Ampere Equations and Yau's Proof of the Calabi Conjecture"

 

By

 

CANER KOCA

(VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY)

 

Abstract: The resolution of Calabi's Conjecture by S.-T. Yau in 1977 is considered to be one of the crowning achievements in mathematics in 20th century. Although the statement of the conjecture is very geometric, Yau's proof involves solving a non-linear second order elliptic PDE known as the complex Monge-Ampere equation. An immediate consequence of the conjecture is the existence of Kähler-Einstein metrics on compact Kähler manifolds with vanishing first Chern class (better known as Calabi-Yau Manifolds). 

In this expository talk, I will start with the basic definitions and facts from geometry to understand the statement of the conjecture, then I will show how to turn it into a PDE problem, and finally I will highlight the important steps in Yau's proof. 

 

 

Date:  Wednesday, May  21,  2014

Time: 15:40

Place: Mathematics Seminar Room, SA-141

 

 

All are most cordially invited.
Tea and biscuits: after the seminar