I will use the S-matrix Bootstrap to carve out the space of unitary, crossing symmetric, and supersymmetric graviton scattering amplitudes in nine, ten, and eleven dimensions. I will introduce a novel extension of positivity for massless particles beyond the forward limit called “positivity in the sky” that significantly improves the convergence of the bootstrap algorithm.

I will show the bounds on the first leading correction to maximal supergravity, study the physics of the extremal amplitudes and compare them with the available nonperturbative String and M-theory results.

Zoom link:  https://pitp.zoom.us/j/99182927406?pwd=bWxIazFvUzhVQkpBdWluZURIM21wUT09

In this mini course, I shall introduce the basic concepts in 2D topological orders by studying simple models of topological orders and then introduce topological quantum computing based on Fibonacci anyons. Here is the (not perfectly ordered) syllabus.                      

•        Overview of topological phases of matter
•        Z2 toric code model: the simplest model of 2D topological orders
•        Quick generalization to the quantum double model
•        Anyons, topological entanglement entropy, S and T matrices
•        Fusion and braiding of anyons: quantum dimensions, pentagon and hexagon identities
•        Fibonacci anyons
•        Topological quantum computing.