Title:  An "L^2-version" of Alexander polynomial and 3-dimensional topology

Speaker: Jianru Duan

Abstract: The L^2-Alexander torsion is an invariant associated to a 3-manifold and an 1-cohomology class. This invariant is a real function with many properties similar to/generalizing the tranditional Alexander polynomial. In this talk, I will first introduce L^2-invariants of 3-manifolds (e.g. L^2-betti numbers, L^2-torsions) and discuss the "leading coefficient" of the L^2-Alexander torsion and show its connection with sutured manifold theory.