Postdoc Colloquium Series
Date: November 15, 2017
Time: 4:00PM - 5:00PM
Location: Bloc 220
Speaker: Julia Plavnik, Texas A&M University
Title: On the classification of modular tensor categories
Abstract: The problem of classifying modular tensor categories is motivated by applications to topological quantum computation as algebraic models for topological phases of matter. These categories have also applications in different areas of mathematics like topological quantum field theory, von Neumann algebras, representation theory, and others. In this talk, we will start by introducing some of the basic definitions and properties of fusion, braided, and modular tensor categories, and we will also give some concrete examples to have a better understanding of their structures. The idea of the talk is to give an overview of the current situation of the classification program for modular categories. We will explain some of the techniques that we found useful to push further the classification, with a focus on new constructions of modular tensor categories. If time allows, we will mention some results for the super-modular case.