Oberwolfach Seminar: Discrete Differential Geometry

Date:

May 30th - June 5th, 2004

Organizers:

Alexander I. Bobenko, TU Berlin

Peter Schröder, Cal. Tech.

John M. Sullivan, TU Berlin

Günter Ziegler, TU Berlin

Subjects:

Discrete differential geometry is an active mathematical terrain where differential geometry and discrete geometry meet and interact. Whereas classical differential geometry investigates smooth geometric shapes (such as surfaces), and discrete geometry studies geometric shapes with finite numbers of elements (polyhedra), discrete differential geometry aims at the development and application of discrete equivalents of the geometric notions and methods of differential geometry. The latter appears then as a limit of refinements of the discretization. Polyhedral surfaces are one of the main topics of the seminar. Current progress in this field is to a large extent stimulated by its relevance for computer graphics. We plan to consider discrete models of general polyhedral surfaces as well as their special classes, such as minimal surfaces and those with constant curvature. The problems of existence, construction, modification, rigidity, flexibility and uniqueness of interesting polyhedral surfaces will be discussed. Quadrilateral meshes, cubical complexes, discrete models of curvature, as well as computational aspects will be other topics of the seminar.

Prerequisites:

The seminar is oriented to the graduate students and postdocs with knowledge of the classical differential geometry of surfaces. Interest and experience in computer visualization and computational methods is welcome.

Deadline for applications:

April 16, 2004

The seminars take place at the Mathematisches Forschungsinstitut Oberwolfach. The number of participants is restricted to 24. Applications including

• full name and address, including e-mail address
• present position, university
• name of supervisor of Ph.D. thesis
• a short summary of previous work and interest

should be sent as hard copy or by e-mail (.ps or .pdf file) to:

Prof. Dr. Gert-Martin Greuel
Universität Kaiserslautern
Fachbereich Mathematik
Erwin Schrödingerstr.
67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
.