Higher Dimensional Complex Geometry and Abelian Varieties

An abelian variety is by definition a complex torus which can be embedded as a complex sub-manifold of projective space. Such manifolds form the natural setting for the study of multiply periodic and theta functions in several variables. In recent years, some quite concrete questions involving abelian varieties have been studied using new ideas and techniques from higher dimensional complex geometry. In this talk we will focus on one such problem, involving singular points of theta divisors. Besides being of interest in its own right, it will serve as a vehicle for surveying both some current developments and classical ideas in algebraic geometry.

Refreshments will be served at 3:30 PM in Math 401N.