Conference: Symposium on Mathematical Physics


The geometry of quantum knot invariants

{{_Ltalk:R}} Dr. Roland van der Veen
Date: 10.11.14   Time: 11.15 - 12.15   Room: Y27H28

Quantum knot invariants such as the Jones polynomial play a key role in low-dimensional topology. Their geometric interpretation as predicted by Chern-Simons theory is a major open problem. In this talk we will report on progress towards this goal focusing on the particular case of the volume conjecture. The volume conjecture explicitly connects the Jones polynomial to hyperbolic geometry and number theory. We present a proof of an important special case of the conjecture and how it relates to recent developments in both string theory and quantum gravity.