University of Michigan Topics in Geometry Seminar

Winter 2008

Fridays 2:10-3:00
3866 East Hall.

Schedule of Talks

January 11: Organizational Meeting

This is a working group seminar. This term we shall start working on the two papers by Cliff Taubes applying the Seiberg-Witten equations to the solution of Weinstein's Conjecture on the existence of closed orbits of the Reeb vector field on three-dimensional contact manifolds. The generalized Weinstein conjecture in dimension three simply says that every contact three manifold has period orbits for its associated Reeb vector field. The papers we will be studying are available on the arXiv:

The Seiberg-Witten equations and the Weinstein conjecture

Author's Abstract: Let M denote a compact, oriented 3-manifold and let a denote a contact 1-form on M. This article proves that the vector field that generates the kernel of the 2-form da [with suitable normalization, the Reeb vector field] has at least one closed, integral curve.

The Seiberg-Witten equations and the Weinstein conjecture II: More closed integral curves of the Reeb vector field

Author's Abstract: Let M denote a compact, orientable, 3-dimensional manifold and let a denote a contact 1-form on M; thus the wedge product of a with da is nowhere zero. This article explains how the Seiberg-Witten Floer homology groups as defined for any given Spin-C structure on M give closed, integral curves of the vector field that generates the kernel of da.

January 18: Postponed until Jan 25.

January 25: Cagatay Kutluhan: Background and introduction to Seiberg-Witten and the Weinstein Conjecture.

February 1: Joel Fish: Pseudoholomorphic curve techniques used for the Weinstein Conjecture.

NOTE SPECIAL TIME AND LOCATION, THIS WEEK ONLY: 10 AM, 262 DENNISON HALL (NEXT TO EAST HALL).

February 8: Cagatay Kutluhan: End of introduction.

February 15: Dan Burns: Seiberg-Witten-Floer homology for a contact 3-manifold.

February 22: Dan Burns: Seiberg-Witten-Floer homology for a contact 3-manifold (continued).

March 7: Not meeting this week.

March 14: Dan Burns: Seiberg-Witten-Floer homology for a contact 3-manifold: identifications for large r.

March 21: Zhou Zhang: First estimates.

March 28: No Meeting.

April 4: Zhou Zhang: First estimates, cont.

April 11: Dan Burns: Spectral flow.

NOTE SPECIAL TIME: 11:10 AM - Noon, 3866 East Hall.

April 18: Dan Burns: Spectral flow, cont.


THIS TERM'S GEOMETRY SEMINAR

ARCHIVE OF PAST GEOMETRY SEMINARS: Winter 2007. Fall 2007.


Information for speakers
East Hall, the home of the Department of Mathematics, stands at the corner of Church St. and South University Ave. in Ann Arbor. Check out maps and directions,dining advice, the calendar of local events, the weather forecast, and the lowest fares to/from Detroit (DTW). Lodging options include the university-operated Michigan League and Oxford Conference Center (both within walking distance of East Hall), as well as a number of hotels.

This page is maintained by Dan Burns
UM Math seminars