# Interactions between contact symplectic topology and gauge theory in dimensions 3 and 4 (11w5085)

## Organizers

Denis Auroux (University of California, Berkeley)

(McMaster University)

Olivier Collin (Université du Quebec à Montréal)

(Georgia Institute of Technology)

## Description

The Banff International Research Station will host the "Interactions between contact symplectic topology and gauge theory in dimensions 3 and 4" workshop from March 20 to 25, 2011.

An international group of mathematicians will arrive at The Banff Centre next week, March 25 - 30, 2007, where the Banff International Research Station will host a workshop on new results in low-dimensional topology. For topologists, any space with four or fewer dimensions is considered to be low-dimensional. Because high-dimensional space has lots of room to move", algebraic techniques can be used to effectively answer many of the fundamental questions in dimensions five and higher. In low dimensions, these techniques
break down and many fundamental questions remain unanswered. One interesting feature of dimension four is the plethora of "exotic" smooth structures. The workshop will focus on new discoveries about the shape of space and knotted objects embedded in space. The workshop will feature several talks about new exotic smooth structures on 4-manifolds and slicing knots. Inspiration for many of these results comes in large part from ideas in mathematical physics
(gauge theory, symplectic and contact geometry).
This event is organized by Professors Denis Auroux of the University of California Berkeley, Hans Boden of McMaster University, Olivier Collin of Université du Québec à Montréal, and John Etnyre of Georgia Institute of Technology.

The Banff International Research Station for Mathematical Innovation and Discovery (BIRS) is a collaborative Canada-US-Mexico venture that provides an environment for creative interaction as well as the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and methods within the Mathematical Sciences, with related disciplines and with industry. The research station is located at The Banff Centre in Alberta and is supported by Canada's Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), Alberta's Advanced Education and Technology, and Mexico's Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT).