Topological Field Theory, Primitive Forms and Related Topics

by Masaki Kashiwara (Editor), Atsushi Matsuo

As the interaction of mathematics and theoretical physics continues to intensify, the theories developed in mathematics are being applied to physics, and conversely. This book centers around the theory of primitive forms which currently plays an active and key role in topological field theory (theoretical physics), but was originally developed as a mathematical notion to define a "good period mapping" for a family of analytic structures. The expository papers in this volume are by participants of the Taniguchi Symposium "Topological Field Theory. Primitive Forms and Related Topics" and of the RIMS Symposium bearing the same title, both held in Kyoto. These articles reflect the broad research of some of the world's leading mathematical physicists, and should serve as an excellent resource for researchers as well as graduate students of both disciplines.

502 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1998