The Geometry and Physics of Knots /
Atiyah, Michael Francis, 1929-
The Geometry and Physics of Knots / Michael Atiyah. - Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 1990. - x, 78 p. ; 23 cm. - Lezioni lincee .
Includes bibliographical references (p. [73]-75) and index.
Preface; 1. History and background; 2. Topological quantum field theories; 3. Non-abelian moduli spaces; 4. Symplectic quotients; 5. The infinite-dimensional case; 6. Projective flatness; 7. The Feynman integral formulation; 8. Final comments; Bibliography; Index.
These notes arise from lectures presented in Florence under the auspices of the Accadamia dei Lincee and deal with an area that lies at the crossroads of mathematics and physics. The material presented here rests primarily on the pioneering work of Vaughan Jones and Edward Witten relating polynomial invariants of knots to a topological quantum field theory in 2+1 dimensions. Professor Atiyah here presents an introduction to Witten's ideas from the mathematical point of view. The book will be essential reading for all geometers and gauge theorists as an exposition of new and interesting ideas in a rapidly developing area.
0521395216 0521395542 (paperback)
Knot theory.
QA612.2 / .A85 1990
The Geometry and Physics of Knots / Michael Atiyah. - Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 1990. - x, 78 p. ; 23 cm. - Lezioni lincee .
Includes bibliographical references (p. [73]-75) and index.
Preface; 1. History and background; 2. Topological quantum field theories; 3. Non-abelian moduli spaces; 4. Symplectic quotients; 5. The infinite-dimensional case; 6. Projective flatness; 7. The Feynman integral formulation; 8. Final comments; Bibliography; Index.
These notes arise from lectures presented in Florence under the auspices of the Accadamia dei Lincee and deal with an area that lies at the crossroads of mathematics and physics. The material presented here rests primarily on the pioneering work of Vaughan Jones and Edward Witten relating polynomial invariants of knots to a topological quantum field theory in 2+1 dimensions. Professor Atiyah here presents an introduction to Witten's ideas from the mathematical point of view. The book will be essential reading for all geometers and gauge theorists as an exposition of new and interesting ideas in a rapidly developing area.
0521395216 0521395542 (paperback)
Knot theory.
QA612.2 / .A85 1990