Expanding Ricci solitons, minimal surfaces and Higgs bundles

Abstract: In this talk, I will report on recent joint work with Adam Thompson (Muenster), in which we produce multi-parameter families of expanding Ricci solitons (including Einstein manifolds) using a symmetry, dimensional-reduction Ansatz. The equations reduce to a coupled system involving a harmonic map equation and minimal surfaces in non-compact symmetric spaces. To produce solutions we exploit a new link with Hitchin's theory of Higgs bundles. I will assume no familiarity with any of these concepts throughout the talk.

differential geometrygeometric topologymetric geometry

Audience: researchers in the topic

Virtual seminar on geometry with symmetries

Series comments: Description: Research seminar in Lie group actions in Differential geometry.

The seminar meets every other Wednesday. To accommodate most time zones, the time rotates. The Zoom link is sent to the mailing list around 24 hours before each talk. To subscribe to the mailing list, fill the following form: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdKrJ-nivgjr7ZVJmIY0qkN-VbzTl5NHHNyg6nNsCqjhB-4WA/viewform?usp=sf_link.