Phillip Griffiths - Böcker

In "Exterior Differential Systems", the authors present the results of their ongoing development of a theory of the geometry of differential equations, focusing especially on Lagrangians and Poincare-Cartan forms. They also cover certain aspects of the theory of exterior differential systems, which provides the language and techniques for the entire study, because it plays a central role in uncovering geometric properties of differential equations, the method of equivalence is particularly emphasized. In addition, the authors discuss conformally invariant systems at length, including results on the classification and application of symmetries and conservation laws. The book also covers the Second Variation, Euler-Lagrange PDE systems, and higher-order conservation laws. This synthesis of partial differential equations and differential geometry should be of fundamental importance to both students and experienced researchers working in geometric analysis - a subject that has been central in mathematics worldwide for the last 30 years.

In recent years there has been enormous activity in the theory of algebraic curves. Many long-standing problems have been solved using the general techniques developed in algebraic geometry during the 1950's and 1960's. Additionally, unexpected and deep connections between algebraic curves and differential equations have been uncovered, and these in turn shed light on other classical problems in curve theory. It seems fair to say that the theory of algebraic curves looks completely different now from how it appeared 15 years ago; in particular, our current state of knowledge repre­ sents a significant advance beyond the legacy left by the classical geometers such as Noether, Castelnuovo, Enriques, and Severi. These books give a presentation of one of the central areas of this recent activity; namely, the study of linear series on both a fixed curve (Volume I) and on a variable curve (Volume II). Our goal is to give a comprehensive and self-contained account of the extrinsic geometry of algebraic curves, which in our opinion constitutes the main geometric core of the recent advances in curve theory. Along the way we shall, of course, discuss appli­ cations of the theory of linear series to a number of classical topics (e.g., the geometry of the Riemann theta divisor) as well as to some of the current research (e.g., the Kodaira dimension of the moduli space of curves).

A comprehensive, self-contained treatment presenting general results of the theory. Establishes a geometric intuition and a working facility with specific geometric practices. Emphasizes applications through the study of interesting examples and the development of computational tools. Coverage ranges from analytic to geometric. Treats basic techniques and results of complex manifold theory, focusing on results applicable to projective varieties, and includes discussion of the theory of Riemann surfaces and algebraic curves, algebraic surfaces and the quadric line complex as well as special topics in complex manifolds.

Algebraic curves and compact Riemann surfaces comprise the most developed and arguably the most beautiful portion of algebraic geometry. However, the majority of books written on the subject discuss algebraic curves and compact Riemann surfaces separately, as parts of distinct general theories. Most texts and university courses on curve theory generally conclude with the Riemann-Roch theorem, despite the fact that this theorem is the gateway to some of the most fascinating results in the theory of algebraic curves.This book is based on a six-week series of lectures presented by the author to third- and fourth-year undergraduates and graduate students at Beijing University in 1982. The lectures began with minimal technical requirements (a working knowledge of elementary complex function theory and algebra together with some exposure to topology of compact surfaces) and proceeded directly to the Riemann-Roch and Abel theorems. This book differs from a number of recent books on this subject in that it combines analytic and geometric methods at the outset, so that the reader can grasp the basic results of the subject. Although such modern techniques of sheaf theory, cohomology, and commutative algebra are not covered here, the book provides a solid foundation to proceed to more advanced texts in general algebraic geometry, complex manifolds, and Riemann surfaces, as well as algebraic curves. Containing numerous exercises and two exams, this book would make an excellent introductory text.

In recent years there has been enormous activity in the theory of algebraic curves. Many long-standing problems have been solved using the general techniques developed in algebraic geometry during the 1950's and 1960's. Additionally, unexpected and deep connections between algebraic curves and differential equations have been uncovered, and these in turn shed light on other classical problems in curve theory. It seems fair to say that the theory of algebraic curves looks completely different now from how it appeared 15 years ago; in particular, our current state of knowledge repre­ sents a significant advance beyond the legacy left by the classical geometers such as Noether, Castelnuovo, Enriques, and Severi. These books give a presentation of one of the central areas of this recent activity; namely, the study of linear series on both a fixed curve (Volume I) and on a variable curve (Volume II). Our goal is to give a comprehensive and self-contained account of the extrinsic geometry of algebraic curves, which in our opinion constitutes the main geometric core of the recent advances in curve theory. Along the way we shall, of course, discuss appli­ cations of the theory of linear series to a number of classical topics (e.g., the geometry of the Riemann theta divisor) as well as to some of the current research (e.g., the Kodaira dimension of the moduli space of curves).

Rational Homotopy Theory and Differential Forms

This completely revised and corrected version of the well-known Florence notes circulated by the authors together with E. Friedlander examines basic topology, emphasizing homotopy theory. Included is a discussion of Postnikov towers and rational homotopy theory. This is then followed by an in-depth look at differential forms and de Tham’s theorem on simplicial complexes. In addition, Sullivan’s results on computing the rational homotopy type from forms is presented.  New to the Second Edition: *Fully-revised appendices including an expanded discussion of the Hirsch lemma*Presentation of a natural proof of a Serre spectral sequence result *Updated content throughout the book, reflecting advances in the area of homotopy theoryWith its modern approach and timely revisions, this second edition of Rational Homotopy Theory and Differential Forms will be a valuable resource for graduate students and researchers in algebraic topology, differential forms, and homotopy theory.

This book brings together contributions by top-level experts from a wide range of topics in modern Hodge theory, originating in the authors’ participation in the special years on Hodge theory at the Institute of Mathematical Sciences of the Americas (IMSA) in Miami.One of the main themes is the study of moduli spaces and their compactifications. Several articles speak of the singularities occuring in the boundaries of geometrical or Hodge-theoretic compactifications, semistable reduction, the implications of canonical models for model theory in the sense of logic, and fundamental groups of moduli spaces and their associated Torelli groups. Other topics include Mukai lattices, derived moduli spaces, foliations, Higgs bundles and hyperbolicity, the study of pseudoconvexity properties of neighborhoods of infinity, contributions to the theory of degenerations and limiting mixed Hodge structures.This text will provide an indispensable reference for research mathematicians and specialist graduate students, where the modern approaches to moduli spaces are illustrated by their realizations and applications in examples of interest for the interplay between Hodge theory and moduli spaces.

The second volume of the Geometry of Algebraic Curves is devoted to the foundations of the theory of moduli of algebraic curves. Its authors are research mathematicians who have actively participated in the development of the Geometry of Algebraic Curves. The subject is an extremely fertile and active one, both within the mathematical community and at the interface with the theoretical physics community. The approach is unique in its blending of algebro-geometric, complex analytic and topological/combinatorial methods. It treats important topics such as Teichmüller theory, the cellular decomposition of moduli and its consequences and the Witten conjecture. The careful and comprehensive presentation of the material is of value to students who wish to learn the subject and to experts as a reference source. The first volume appeared 1985 as vol. 267 of the same series.