Two-dimensional variational problems

Two-dimensional variational problems are of particular interest in geometry (minimal surfaces, harmonic and conformal mappings, J-holomorphic curves,. . . ) and theoretical physics (nonlinear sigma model, string theory,. . . ) and they also present some of the guiding problems of geometric analysis. There are many important phenomena, like conformal invariance, selfduality, supersymmetry,. . . that, while not necessarily restricted to two dimensions, acquire a special significance in two dimensional problems. This is on one hand fundamental for their applications in geometry and physics, and on the other typically provides the keys for their successful analytical treatment.

References

1. J.Jost, Riemannian geometry and geometric analysis, 6th edition, 2011
2. J.Jost, Two-dimensional geometric variational problems, 1991
3. J.Jost, Geometry and physics, 2009

Date and time info
Friday 13.30 - 15.00

Keywords
variational problems, geometry, applications to theoretical physics

Audience
MSc students, PhD students, Postdocs

Language
English