Chern-Simons Gauge Theory: 20 years after

Abstract

Chern-Simons theory has developed in several different directions since its relation to knot theory was discovered by Witten 20 years ago. On the one hand, there have been several advances in understanding the TQFT approach to his 3-manifold invariants and the semiclassical approximation, as well as in treating the Feynman path integral version rigorously using stochastic analysis. On the other hand, Witten’s seminal work initiated lots of interesting questions and results in knot theory and geometric topology, as well as the development of entirely new fields.

The workshop will bring together researchers working in geometric topology, stochastic analysis and mathematical physics with a particular interest in Chern-Simons theory. The schedule will include a limited number of one-hour talks, as well as additional time for problem sessions, informal discussion and social events. The final schedule will be announced in advance of the workshop and posted on this website.

There will be another conference on the same subject this year: The 84th encounter between mathematicians and theoretical physicists will take place at the IRMA (Strasbourg) on September 10-12, 2009 on the theme "Quantum topology and Chern-Simons theory".

Organizers

• Joergen Ellegaard Andersen (Aarhus University, Denmark)
• Hans Boden (McMaster University, Canada)
• Atle Hahn (Lisbon University, Portugal)
• Benjamin Himpel (Bonn University)

The Hausdorff Center invites researchers to participate in this workshop. Registration is free but mandatory. Limited funds are available, in particular for young scientists. Please fill out the online registration form and if you need financial support send us a CV, a publications list and a short letter of recommendation before 15th April.

For all questions concerning the scientific program, you may contact workshop-gauge-2009@hcm.uni-bonn.de.

Schedule

Download Schedule as PDF

More information on other restaurants and the excursion.

All talks include 5-10 minutes of discussion/break. The lecture hall of the Max Planck Institute is well-equipped for any kind of talk: There are 6 blackboards, 2 overhead projectors (only for transparencies, not paper documents) and a projector/laptop for slides on USB sticks available.

There will be an opportunity to present posters. Please let the organizers (workshop-gauge-2009@hcm.uni-bonn.de) know, if you would like to present a poster.

There is one recommended restaurant for each night. We ask every participant to choose and let us (workshop-gauge-2009@hcm.uni-bonn.de) know in advance, which places he would like to go to together with other workshop participants (if any), so that we can reserve sufficient space. Please note, that the dinner will be paid by yourself, the cost will not be much more than 10 Euros each plus drinks.

You will find the location of the restaurants as well as their webpage (if available) on the map below.

Logistics

Accommodation:
Please book your own hotel room directly with the hotel of your choice. Those of you who have received explicit, written funding commitments from the Organizers, please send the reimbursement form by post after you return home. Please notice that you will get reimbursed only for the period August 2-7. If travel forces you to stay extra nights, please contact the organizers in advance for consent.

Here you will find a selection of four hotels in which we have blocked rooms at a special rate for "Himpel", but this offer will automatically expire on April 15. Breakfast is always included.

Sternhotel Bonn, 85-115 Euros
Markt 8
53111 Bonn
Deutschland
Tel.: +49 (0)228 72670
Fax.: +49 (0)228 7267125
http://www.sternhotel-bonn.de/
Email: info@SternHotel.de

Hotel Mercedes, 82 Euros
Maarflach 17a
53113 Bonn
Tel.: +49 (0)228 9180049-0
Fax: +49 (0)228 264412
http://www.hotel-mercedes-bonn.de/
Email: contact form

Hotel Mozart Bonn, 72 Euros
Mozartstraße 1
53115 Bonn
Tel: +49 (0)228 659071
Fax: +49 (0)228 659075
http://www.hotel-mozart-bonn.com/
Email: info@hotel-mozart-bonn.com

Hotel Consul, 69 Euros
Oxfordstraße 12-16
53111 Bonn (Innenstadt)
Germany
Telefon: +49 (0)228 7292-0
Fax: +49 (0)228 7292-250
http://www.consul-bonn.de/
Email: hotel@consul-bonn.de

View Chern-Simons Gauge Theory in a larger map

Transportation

All Hotels are within walking distance from the conference site and Bonn central train station. You can reach Bonn by public transportation from Köln/Bonn airport (20 minutes), Düsseldorf airport (60 minutes), and Frankfurt airport (90 minutes). We recommend to check out all options: Flying into Frankfurt and taking the train to Bonn may well be the cheapest, fastest and most convenient option.

Köln-Bonn Airport: The Airport Express Bus "SB60" shuttles to Bonn city on a regular 30 minute schedule. Disembark at the Bonn Central Train Station. A one-way ticket costs 6,30 Euros. If you plan to return to the airport with the Express, you can buy a round-trip ticket for reimbursement. The bus stop is at the side entrance of Terminal 2. Please see the website for further details: Timetables of public transport

Frankfurt Airport: The airport has a railway station which can be reached in a few minutes by foot. There is a fast train to Siegburg (travel time 45 minutes) every hour, from where you can reach Bonn by taxi or tram. You can print out a list of relevant connections from "FRA FrankfurtAirport" to "Bonn Hbf" using the train services' website. Even though it is recommended to buy a ticket at the ticket counter before you ride, you can also purchase it on the train itself.

Düsseldorf Airport: The airport has a railway station which can be reached in a few minutes by the sky-train. The train leaves every hour from "Dusseldorf Airport" to "Bonn Hbf". You can print out a list of relevant connections at the train services' website. It is mandatory to buy a (round-trip) train ticket at the counter before you ride on a Regional Express ("RE").