Talks

After reviewing the motivation and challenges connected with the dRGT theory of ghost-free massive gravity, we discuss our recent progress in understanding non-linear dynamics of this model. In spherical symmetry, numerical studies suggest the formation of naked singularities during gravitational collapse of matter. Analytically, the same can be seen in the limit where the graviton mass is much smaller than the scales of the matter present. Both of these results underline the need to move beyond spherical symmetry to try and obtain realistic predictions. To that end, we present a new ‘harmonic-inspired’ formulation of the minimal model and argue that it is well-posed, opening the door to full 3+1 numerical simulations. 

I will review some recent progress in derived differential geometry, in particular pertaining to moduli stacks of solutions of elliptic partial differential equations on manifolds (with boundaries, and also with `logarithmic' boundaries, which include, for instance, manifolds with asymptotically cylindrical ends). In particular, this framework allows one to work efficiently with the compactified moduli spaces of symplectic topology and gauge theory. In another direction, I will explain some work in progress on the derived geometry of jet spaces, which can be used to endow moduli stacks of solutions of EOMs of a classical field theory with shifted symplectic structures.

We will discuss ongoing work with Alexandra Florea, Matilde Lalín, and Amita Malik on the shifted convolution problem for divisor functions in function fields. This involves studying the average value of $d(f) d(f+h)$ where $h$ is a fixed polynomial (having possibly large degree $m$) in $\mathbb{F}_q[T]$ and $f$ runs over all monic polynomials in $\mathbb{F}_q[T]$ of degree $n$, where $n$ goes to infinity. Our techniques mirror the classical approach of Estermann in the integer setting. The main new ingredient is a functional equation for the Estermann function (equivalently, a Voronoi summation formula for the divisor function) that was not previously available in function fields. If time permits, we will discuss a related result involving the shifted convolution of the norm-counting functions of quadratic extensions. The talk should be accessible to those unfamiliar with function fields.

The second and fourth moments of the Riemann zeta function have been known for about a century, but the sixth moment remains elusive. The sixth moment of zeta can be thought of as the second moment of a GL_3 Eisenstein series, and it is natural to consider variants of the problem where the Eisenstein series is replaced by a cusp form. I will discuss recent work with Agniva Dasgupta and Wing Hong Leung where we obtain a nontrivial bound on this second moment. I will also discuss some applications, including an improvement on the Rankin-Selberg problem.

We explore approaches to systems of forms with differing degrees which use the ‘repulsion’ technique. This would allow for example asymptotic formulas for the density of solutions to nonsingular systems of Diophantine inequalities in sufficiently many variables.

Random unitaries form the backbone of numerous components of quantum technologies, and serve as indispensable toy models for complex processes in quantum many-body physics. In all of these applications, a crucial consideration is in what circuit depth a random unitary can be generated. I will present recent work, in which we show that local quantum circuits can form random unitaries in exponentially lower circuit depths than previously thought. We prove that random quantum circuits on any geometry, including a 1D line, can form approximate unitary designs over n qubits in log n depth. In a similar manner, we construct pseudorandom unitaries (PRUs) in 1D circuits in poly log n depth, and in all-to-all-connected circuits in poly log log n depth. These shallow quantum circuits have low complexity and create only short-range entanglement, yet are indistinguishable from unitaries with exponential complexity. Applications of our results include proving that classical shadows with 1D log-depth Clifford circuits are as powerful as those with deep circuits, demonstrating superpolynomial quantum advantage in learning low-complexity physical systems, and establishing quantum hardness for recognizing phases of matter with topological order.

We explore approaches to systems of forms with differing degrees which use the ‘repulsion’ technique. This would allow for example asymptotic formulas for the density of solutions to nonsingular systems of Diophantine inequalities in sufficiently many variables.