You are cordially invited to the Topology Seminar organized by the Department of Mathematics.
Speaker: Kursat Sozer (McMaster University)
“Survey of 3-Dimensional TQFTs and Quantum Invariants of 3-Manifolds ”
Abstract: In this talk, I will give a gentle overview of 3-dimensional topological quantum field theories (TQFTs) and the corresponding quantum invariants of closed 3-manifolds. After briefly recalling essential algebraic notions such as pivotal, fusion, and modular categories, I will describe the two main constructions of 3-dimensional TQFTs: the surgery approach (Witten–Reshetikhin–Turaev invariants) and the state-sum approach (Turaev–Viro–Barrett–Westbury invariants). I will then summarize the key comparison result involving the categorical center construction, illustrating how these two approaches yield isomorphic TQFTs. If time permits, I will close by briefly mentioning extensions to homotopy quantum field theories (HQFTs) and highlight some recent developments in this direction.
Date: May 5, Monday, 2025
Time: 13:30 UTC+3
Place: ZOOM
To request the event link, please send a message to cihan.okay@bilkent.edu.tr