Abstract:
The interplay between mathematics and physics has, in recent years, become so profound that the lines have been blurred. The two disciplines, long complementary, have begun a deep and fundamental relationship. I call this blending "physmatics," and illustrate it with an example of duality from string theory. I then discuss the purely mathematical interpretation of this symmetry.

Physmatics

Background:
Eric Zaslow was named Clay Senior Scholar at the Thematic Program on The Geometry of String Theory 2004 - 2005 a joint program of the Fields Institute and Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. He will spend November 2004 and two months in Spring 2005 in residence.

Research Area:
Mathematical Physics. Zaslow studies mathematical aspects of string theory, most recently focusing on mirror symmetry of Calabi-Yau threefolds. This involves enumerative invariants, minimal submanifolds, and the equivalence of D-brane categories.