Ph.D. Presentation
Ph.D. Presentation
Speaker: Mike Rogelstad (Western)
"Quadratic Forms, Quaternion Algebras and the Investigation of"
Time: 13:30
Room: MC 108
E. Witt observed in the 1930's that suitable classes of quadratic forms form
what is now known as the Witt ring of quadratic forms. After the work of C.M.
Cordes, A. Fr$\ddot{o}$hlich, D.K. Harrison, H. Koch and R. Ware, finally M. Spira
and J. Min$\acute{a}\breve{c}$ established in the 1980's and published in the 1990's a rather
precise link between the Witt ring of quadratic forms and Galois theory. This
connection has subsequently led to many important developments in this area.
We will discuss quadratic forms, quaternion algebras, the Witt ring and Brauer
group as well as these fascinating interconnections and the prospects for future
research.