In the Winter 2026, I am organizing a working group on the mathematics of quantum spin systems. If you are interested in joining, please contact me by email first to check that you have the prerequisite. I expect a strong background in linear algebra (typically proof-based abilities on problems involving singular values and/or tensor products. Typically Math 318 or 340 with an excellent grade, equivalent classes, or personal experience). If joining, you're expected to give a 1+hour long presentation. Topics to be covered
Interest and availability form
Lunch (vegetarian pizza) is provided during our regular meeting, Thursdays, 12-2PM, MOR 234.
January 8th - 12-2PM in PDL C401 - Alexis Drouot: An introduction to quantum spin systems. Notes
January 22nd - 12-2PM in PDL C401 - Miles Mai: Reduced States and Observables on Subsystems. Notes
January 28th - 3:30-4:30PM in DEN 111 - AGD seminar by Matthew Hastings: Lieb-Robinson bounds and applications to quantum spin systems: how dynamics control statics.
January 29th - 12-2PM in MOR 234 - Shiang-Bin Chiu: Emergent Speed Limits from Locality: Lieb-Robinson Bounds. References
February 5th - 12-2PM in MOR 234 - Yusen Ye: Gapped ground states have exponentially small correlations
February 12th - 12-2PM in MOR 234 - Shih-Ning Huang: Hastings' ground state factorization
February 19th - 12-2PM in MOR 234 - Classical and quantum entropy
February 19th - 4:30-6PM in PDL C38 - Alexis Drouot: Up, down, and all around: A gentle introduction to quantum spins systems.
February 26th - 12-2PM in MOR 234 - Gapped ground states that overlap with pure tensors have controlled entropy
March 5th - 12-2PM in MOR 234 - Liam Bonds: The 1D area law: gapped ground states in 1D system have bounded entropy
March 12th - 12-2PM in MOR 234 - Approximation of 1D gapped ground states by matrix product states