Bi-Co Mathematics Colloquium with Dr. Richard Green
Dr. Richard Green of the University of Colorado, Boulder, will give a talk titled "Positivity Properties for Orthogonal Sets in Lattices.”
Abstract: There is an extremely dense way to pack spheres in 8-dimensional Euclidean space in such a way that each sphere touches 240 others. The centers of these spheres form a discrete structure called the $E_8$ lattice, and the 240 nonzero vectors of minimal norm in the lattice are known as roots. This talk will explain how orthogonal bases of such roots can themselves be regarded as the elements of a discrete structure in a different vector space. We will also discuss the mysterious appearance of certain positive integers in this context, as well as analogous phenomena in other lattices. (This talk is based on joint work with Tianyuan Xu.)
Bryn Mawr College welcomes the full participation of all individuals in all aspects of campus life. Should you wish to request a disability-related accommodation for this event, please contact the event sponsor/coordinator. Requests should be made as early as possible.