Quantum groups and noncommutative geometry

Quantum groups are mathematical objects that describe symmetries in mathematics and physics, including phenomena which are related to fundamental questions about space and time. The theory has connections to a large range of fields in mathematics, including representation theory, combinatorics, and operator algebras. Quite remarkably, quantum groups can also be used to study problems in low-dimensional topology, like distinguishing knots and finding invariants of 3-dimensional manifolds.

In this project we study a range of questions at the current focus of research in the subject. One main aim is to study what happens if one looks at a quantum group from "far away". Technically, this amount to transport ideas from coarse geometry to the realm of quantum groups, and to consider the large scale properties of the latter. To get an idea of what coarse geometry is about one can imagine the set of integers as a subset of the real line. The local structure of the integers is very different from the structure of the real line - the integers are a discrete set, whereas the real line is a continuous and connected space. However, if we "zoom out" the integral points on the line appear to get closer and closer, and an infinitely far observer will not notice any difference between the integers and the real line. On a large scale perspective, both spaces can still be distinguished from a single point - which means that even from "far away" some amount of information about the dimension of spaces is retained.

Apart from this we shall study problems at the intersection of representation theory of quantum groups and operator K-theory. Classical representation theory of Lie groups is a vast subject, with applications ranging from number theory to physics. For instance, the properties of elementary particles are determined by representations of the Poincar\'e group, the symmetry group of space-time. If one deforms a classical symmetry group then typically some new and unexpected phenomena show up. We will investigate in particular the structure of principal series representations of deformed semisimple complex Lie groups represented by Drinfeld doubles. This will help to understand the geometry of quantum flag manifolds and the operator K-theory of classical quantum groups. Roughly speaking, operator K-theory is an invariant which can be used to extract homological information from a quantum group and to distinguish among quantum groups.

Our methods combine techniques from various fields in mathematics, most notably coarse geometry, operator algebras, and representation theory, but also differential geometry and category theory, and an overall objective of this project is to provide new links between these areas.

The proposed research is first and foremost meant to push the frontiers of pure mathematics forward, and its main purpose is to develop new tools for the advancement of the field. Noncommutative geometry is a modern part of mathematics with connections to various classical disciplines like number theory, differential geometry and algebraic topology, and mathematical physics. This project will help to establish Glasgow as an internationally leading University in this field.

The most important immediate and manifest impact of the project will be in the research and professional skills acquired by staff working on the project. A research associate will be employed for 12 months and work as an active part of our scientific community in Glasgow. This position will help a young scientist to build up new scientific connections and may become an important stepping stone towards an academic career. It will also provide the RA with a wealth of transferrable and academic skills to position him or her on the job market outside academia. Pure mathematics offers like almost no other area in arts and sciences a simultaneously deep and broad training in analytical and structural thinking, and it is only natural that employers are seeking precisely applicants who have worked successfully on projects like the one proposed in this application.