Colloquium: From knots to 4-manifolds

Abstract: I will survey the connections between knot theory and four-dimensional topology. Every four-manifold can be represented in terms of a link, by a Kirby diagram. This point of view has led to progress in computing invariants of smooth four-manifolds that can detect exotic structures. I will explain how this was done in two contexts: Heegaard Floer theory and skein lasagna modules.

Host: Aliakbar Daemi