Course manual 2020/2021

Course content

Mirror Symmetry investigates a strange connection between two types of geometry: symplectic geometry and algebraic geometry. It was originally discovered in theoretical physics as a duality between two models of string theory: the A- and the B-model. In the 1990's it also became important in mathematics because it could be used to calculate numbers in geometry that mathematicians had tried to find for many years. Since then it has become a main research topic in geometry, algebra and mathematical physics. 

In this course we will explore the basic ideas behind mirror symmetry from the point of view of the homological mirror symmetry conjecture. This conjecture formulates an equivalence between two categories: the Fukaya category of a symplectic manifold and the derived category of coherent sheaves of an algebraic variety. We will introduce the mathematics needed to define these two categories such as homology, A-infinity algebras, Floer theory and derived categories. These concepts will be illustrated by some basic examples coming from surfaces. 

Study materials

Syllabus

  • A syllabus will be put on canvas

Objectives

    Teaching methods

    • Lecture

    Theoretical course.

    Learning activities

    Activity

    Hours

    Hoorcollege

    28

    Tentamen

    3

    Self study

    137

    Total

    168

    (6 EC x 28 uur)

    Attendance

    This programme does not have requirements concerning attendance (TER-B).

    Assessment

    Item and weight Details

    Final grade

    70%

    Tentamen

    30%

    Midterm

    Inspection of assessed work

    There is a midterm test  (take home 30%) and a final exam (online surveillance, 70%)

    The test and exam will be marked on canvas with online feedback.

     

    Fraud and plagiarism

    The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

    Course structure

    1. Motivation from physics (1 week)
    2. Homology and Cohomology (2 weeks)
    3. The A-infinity Formalism (2 weeks)
    4. A first glance at Mirror Symmetry (2 weeks)
      Midterm test (take home) 
    5. A-models (2 weeks)
    6. B-models (2 weeks)
    7. Examples of Mirror symmetry (2 weeks)

     

    Timetable

    The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.

    Contact information

    Coordinator

    • Raf Bocklandt