Leonid Polterovich “From Quantum Mechanics to Symplectic Topology and Back.”

Leonid Polterovich, University of Chicago

Title: From Quantum Mechanics to Symplectic Topology and Back
Speaker: Leonid Polterovich, University of Chicago
Date: Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Place: Lecture Hall 102, Simons Center

 

 

 

 

Abstract: Algebras of functions of certain symplectic manifolds admit quasi-states, a class of functionals which are linear on all Poisson-commutative subalgebras but not on the whole algebra. Their origins go back to foundations of quantum mechanics, while their construction involves methods of Floer theory. It turns out that quasi-states enable one to detect footprints of symplectic rigidity in quantum mechanics.

 

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