Higher Categories of Bordisms with Geometric Structures and the Classification of Extended Geometric Field Theories

May 29, 2026 PIRSA:26050066 Scientific Series Mathematical physics

Grady, D. (2026). Higher Categories of Bordisms with Geometric Structures and the Classification of Extended Geometric Field Theories. Perimeter Institute. https://pirsa.org/26050066

Grady, Daniel. Higher Categories of Bordisms with Geometric Structures and the Classification of Extended Geometric Field Theories. Perimeter Institute, May. 29, 2026, https://pirsa.org/26050066

@misc{ pirsa_PIRSA:26050066,
  doi = {10.48660/26050066},
  url = {https://pirsa.org/26050066},
  author = {Grady, Daniel},
  keywords = {Mathematical physics},
  language = {en},
  title = {Higher Categories of Bordisms with Geometric Structures and the Classification of Extended Geometric Field Theories},
  publisher = {Perimeter Institute},
  year = {2026},
  month = {may},
  note = {PIRSA:26050066 see, \url{https://pirsa.org}}
}

Abstract

In this talk, I will survey joint work with Dmitri Pavlov on the construction and classification of extended geometric functorial field theories. After briefly reviewing some background and classical definitions, I will discuss the construction of the extended geometric bordism category and present the two main theorems. I will then sketch the proof of the first theorem, establishing locality for extended field theories, and, if time permits, conclude with some applications.