Geometry and Topology Seminar: "Taut surfaces in hyperbolic 3-manifolds"

Abstract: Let M be a closed hyperbolic three-manifold with nonzero first Betti number. The second homology group of M with real coefficients has an interesting norm that people now call the Thurston norm. I will introduce this norm and discuss what it can tell us about so-called taut surfaces embedded in M and their interaction with certain dynamical systems in M called pseudo-Anosov flows. Time permitting, we will discuss some new results which are joint work with Samuel Taylor and Yair Minsky. My goal is for this to be a self-contained talk providing a friendly introduction to the kinds of things I think about for people in the department. I am happy to cover less material than planned if the audience has a lot of questions.