Clifford algebras, fermions, and categorification

Christian Voigt (University of Glasgow)

Friday 29th November, 2013 16:00-16:55 516

Abstract

Categorification can be described as the process of adding an additional layer of structure to familiar mathematical concepts.

This allows to take into account features which are often swept under the rug, and more importantly, it sometimes leads to completely new insights. In this talk I will outline how to categorify the concept of a Clifford algebra, an algebraic structure which appears in various guises in noncommutative geometry. This turns out to have close links to conformal field theory, more precisely to the theory of free fermions - but for the talk no background knowledge from physics will be assumed.

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