1.报告人：Professor Meng Guo-Wu, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

报告时间：Tuesday, July 26,  10-11am

报告题目: The Seiberg-Witten equations and the Alexander Polynomials in knots, links and three-manifolds

报告地点：数学中心201室

Abstract: The topology of smooth manifolds was a major area of mathematical study in the 20th century. In the last three decades, the topology of three- and four-manifolds has been a major area of mathematical study with the emergence of the Seiberg-Witten theory of four manifolds being one of the most exciting moments for the mathematical community. In this talk, I will talk about Meng-Taubes Formula –a fundamental link between the Seiberg-Witten theory of four manifolds and the Alexander theory of knots, links and three-manifolds.

Note: Some knowledge of modern geometry would be very helpful

2.报告人：Professor Meng Guo-Wu, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

报告时间：Tuesday, July 26,  4-5pm

报告题目: An informal introduction to the year 2004 Nobel Prize in Physics

报告地点：数学中心203室

Abstract: 
All matters in our universe are made of the fundamental matters. What bind the fundamental matters to form our colorful universe? It is the force. There are four fundamental forces: gravitational force, electromagnetic force, strong force and the weak force. Theoretical computations around 1973 lead to this surprising discovery about the strong force: when
the two quarks are getting closer and closer to each other, the strong force between them is becoming closer and closer to zero. The year 2004 Nobel Prize in physics is awarded to three American physicists who made this important discovery.

In this talk, I will talk about the history and background of this Nobel Prize work as well as a major mathematical breakthrough that this work hinted at.

Note: This talk is accessible to people who knows calculus and linear algebra.