Quantum representations and geometry of mapping class groups

Effie Kalfagianni (Michigan State and IAS)

Abstract: The generalization of the Jones polynomial for links and 3-manifolds, due to Witten-Reshetiking-Turaev in the late 90’s, led to constructions of Topological Quantum Field Theory in dimensions (2+1). These theories also include representations of surface mapping class groups. The question of how much of the Thurston geometric picture of 3-manifolds is reflected in these theories is open. I will report on recent work in this direction with emphasis on the corresponding mapping class group representations. The talk is based on joint work with R. Detcherry and G. Belletti, R. Detcherry, T. Yang.