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Configuration spaces and braid groups of graphs

Geometry/Topology

Speaker: Aaron Abrams, U.C.Berkeley
Location: 493 Kerr
Start time: Wed, Jun 14 2000, 4:10PM

The classical $n$-string braid group can be described as the fundamental group of a certain topological space, namely the configuration space of $n$ points in the plane. From this point of view we develop a theory of braid groups of graphs, based on studying the configuration spaces of points in a graph. A variety of topological, geometric, algebraic, and combinatorial properties will be investigated, and examples will be emphasized.