Nichols Algebras

Mini course by

Professor István Heckenberger

University of Marburg, Germany

March 14 - 18, 2016

Picture of István Heckenberger

Nichols algebras are natural braided Hopf algebras appearing in the structure theory of quantum groups and pointed Hopf algebras and in non-commutative differential geometry. The most trivial examples are polynomial rings and exterior algebras. Albeit it is not clear from the various equivalent definitions, there are many deep relationships of Nichols algebras to other fields of mathematics, in particular to Coxeter groups and Lie theory. The aim of the mini course is to introduce the fundamental concepts of the theory and to work out the intrinsic combinatorics in some typical cases. If possible, an outlook to more general settings will be given.

Professor Heckenberger is one of the world-leading experts in the field. His introduction of arithmetic root systems and Weyl groupoids into the theory constituted a turning point of the development. The lectures will be accessible to graduate and advanced undergraduate students. In addition to the mini course, he will give a colloquium talk on Fomin-Kirillov algebras at the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Memorial University that is aimed at a more general mathematical audience.

The precise schedule of the mini course is

Monday, March 14, 12:00 m - 1:30 pm, SN 2101

Tuesday, March 15, 2:30 pm - 3:45 pm, SN 2098

Wednesday, March 16, 12:00 m - 1:50 pm, SN 2105

Thursday, March 17, 12:00 m - 12:50 pm, SN 2041, and 2:30 pm - 3:45 pm, SN 2098

Friday, March 18, 3:00 pm - 3:50 pm, SN 2098

Everyone is invited! We plan to provide partial support for students from Atlantic Canada. Please email a recommendation letter from your supervisor at aac@mun.ca.