Point Configurations: Deformations and Rigidity

The study of emergent properties of large systems of points is a topic of central importance in the era of big data and of nanotechnology.  The search for robust principles ensuring rigidity and stability of crystalline regular configurations, as well as the conditions of deformability of such structures, forms a truly interdisciplinary topic of great recent interest in mathematics, physics, and computer science.This research school will present several different modern perspectives on the rigidity and deformability of optimum point configurations.  The three lecture course topics are:

Gero Friesecke: Crystallization in classical particle systems
Douglas Hardin and Edward Saff: Discrete energy on rectifiable sets
Danylo Radchenko: Modular forms, universal optimality and Fourier interpolation

These topics will be complemented by tutorial sessions and eminent plenary lecturers, presenting links to other fields and enhancing the interdisciplinarity of the school.