International Conference on Mathematical Methods in Physics
Topics: Methods of Spectral and Group Theory, Differential and Algebraic Geometry and Topology in Field Theory, Quantum Gravity, String Theory and Cosmology.
Centro Brasileiro de Pesquisas Físicas (CBPF/MCT), The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP, Italy), Instituto Nacional de Matemática Pura e Aplicada (IMPA, Brazil), The Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS, Italy) and The Scuola Internazionale di Studi Avanzati (SISSA,Italy).
The Organizing Committees were composed by:
E. ABDALLA (USP, Brazil), L. BONORA (SISSA, Italy), H. BURSZTYN (IMPA, Brazil), A. A. BYTSENKO (UEL, Brazil), B. DUBROVIN (SISSA, Italy), M.E.X. GUIMARÃES (UFF, Brazil), J.A. HELAYËL-NETO (CBPF, Brazil).
Advisory Committee: A. V. ASHTEKAR (Penn State University, U.S.A.), V. M. BUCHSTABER (Steklov Mathematical Institute, Russia), L. D. FADDEEV (St. Petersburg Dept. of Steklov Mathematical Institute, Russia), I. M. KRICHEVER (Columbia Univ., U.S.A./ Landau Institute of Theoretical Physics, Russia), S. P. NOVIKOV (Univ. of Maryland, U.S.A./Landau Institute of Theoretical Physics, Russia), J. PALIS (IMPA, Brazil), A. QADIR (National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan), F. QUEVEDO (ICTP, Italy), S. RANDJBAR-DAEMI (ICTP, Italy), G. THOMPSON (ICTP, Italy), C. VAFA (Harvard University, U.S.A.).
The Main Goal: The aim of the Conference was to present the latest advances in Mathematical Methods of Physics to researchers, young scientists and students of Latin America in general, and Brazil in particular, in the areas of High Energy Physics, Cosmology, Mathematical Physics and Applied Mathematics. The main goal was to promote an updating of knowledge and to facilitate the interaction between mathematicians and theoretical physicists, through plenary sessions and seminars. This Conference can be considered as a part of a network activity in a special effort to encourage the formation of Regional and International scientific networks and professional societies. The ultimate ambition of the coordinated activity is to provide top level postgraduate (PhD) formation in an environment of high standard research in various fields of Physics, on the model of the School for Advanced Studies (SISSA).
The Program: The Conference program was designed in order to provide an ample time for debates and discussions among the participants and included plenary talks (1 hour each) and a number of short seminars (30 minutes each) given by Brazilian and foreign researchers. There were also discussion sessions involving the participants, encouraging them to open debates on the themes of the Conference, as well as a “Round Table" (on prospectives in mathematics in South America) with discussions on a possible future investigations in theoretical and mathematical physics.
Closing Sessions: Prof. R. C. SHELLARD (CBPF, Vice Director), Prof. G. MARTINELLI (SISSA, Italy), Prof. L. BONORA (SISSA, Italy), Prof. A. A. BYTSENKO (UEL, Local Chairman), R. COQUEREAUX (CPT, France).
The organizers would like to thank the participants, who made this Conference a rare opportunity for the younger and experienced researchers present in this event to acquire new and precious knowledge. Thanks are also due to the contributors, who with their articles will surely make this Proceedings a living experience.
Sponsors: This event has been co-sponsored by ICTP, TWAS, SISSA, CBPF, IMPA, FAPERJ and FAPESP. L. BONORA, A. A. BYTSENKO, M. E. X. GUIMARÃES, J. A. HELAYËL-NETO
The Proceedings were Edited by: L. BONORA, A. A. BYTSENKO, M. E. X. GUIMARÃES and J. A. HELAYËL-NETO