Quantum Topology Seminar

Event Date: 

Wednesday, November 9, 2016 - 11:00am to 12:00pm

Event Location: 

  • South Hall 6635

Speaker: Ryan Thorngren (UC Berkeley)

Discrete spin structures

Abstract: I'll discuss a formula due to Kastelyn for computing the number of perfect matchings on a graph. I'll relate this to the partition function of a free fermion and talk about spin structures in higher dimensions and building better obstruction theories.