Is Trivial Knot Really So Trivial?
Alexander Grosberg (NYU - USA)
Abstract: While topological ideas are widely popular in physics, topology of classical linear threads of polymers presents steep mathematical and conceptual challenges, with applications in both biopolymers and materials. I will concentrate on the simplest case of polymer unknots and review what is known about fluctuations and statistical mechanics of such objects based mostly on simulations, experiments, and hand-waving theoretical arguments. Continuing with increasingly sophisticated models and phenomena, I will review several more recent theoretical and experimental achievements, and conclude with the discussion of a controversial concept of “topological glass”.
geometric topology
Audience: researchers in the topic
Series comments: Web-seminar series on Applications of Geometry and Topology
| Organizers: | Alicia Dickenstein, José-Carlos Gómez-Larrañaga, Kathryn Hess, Neza Mramor-Kosta, Renzo Ricca*, De Witt L. Sumners |
| *contact for this listing |