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Monday, November 11

Veteran's Day: University Closed

Tuesday, November 12

PDE Seminar: Nick Ercolani, Mathematics and Program in Applied Mathematics, University of Arizona, will speak on "Singular Limits of Amplitude and Phase Equations" at 12:30 PM in Math 402. (Brown bag lunches are appropriate.)
Abstract: Recently there has been progress in rigorously describing singular limits of fully nonlinear order parameter equations. Specifically, much of this activity has centered around the Ginzburg-Landau Equation. There are also some results on the asymptotic behavior of solutions to the regularized Cross-Newell phase diffusion equation. We will present a self-contained review of these developments.

Algebra & Number Theory Seminar: John Brillhart, Department of Mathematics, University of Arizona, will speak on "More on Lucas' Primality Theory" at 2:00 PM in Math 402.
Abstract: In the last talk, I reviewed the revolution in primality testing initiated by E. Lucas in 1876. In this talk I'll discuss how the theory developed from that time until about 1980, when it seems to have reached its natural limit (a new idea is needed to go further in this direction).

Faculty Meeting will be held at 3:15 PM in Math 501. Dean Levy will be in attendance.

Biomathematics Seminar: T. W. Secomb, Department of Physiology , University of Arizona, will speak on Mathematical Modeling of the Microcirculation (Pt. 2) at 3:45 PM in Bio Sciences West 219.

Mathematics Instruction Colloquium: will not be held this week.

Wednesday, November 13

Math/Physics Seminar: William Faris, University of Arizona and National Science Foundation, will speak on "The Quantum Anharmonic Crystal" at 1:00 PM in Math 402.
Abstract: The properties of a quantum anharmonic crystal may be expressed via a path integral involving a large number of independent diffusion processes. The proof of good limiting behavior for large crystals depends on estimates on the behavior of the diffusion process. These estimates are obtained when the oscillator is strictly anharmonic, that is, when it has a restoring force that increases more rapidly than linearly. In this case the diffusion also drifts to the origin more rapidly than linearly, resulting in extremely good ergodicity properties.

Thursday, November 14

Algebra & Number Theory Seminar: Spencer Bloch, Mathematics, University of Chicago, will speak on "L-Functions, Modular Forms and Lie Algebras" at 11:00 AM in Math 402.

Graduate Student Seminar: Aaron Ekstrom, Department of Mathematics, University of Arizona, will speak on "Towers of Artin-Schreier Extensions" at 2:00 PM in Math 402.
Abstract: To construct a "good" Goppa code, we need an algebraic function field with the ratio of rational points to genus as large as possible. I will discuss a paper by Garcia and Stichtenoth that gives an explicit construction using Artin-Schreier extensions.

Mathematics Colloquium: Spencer Bloch, Mathematics, University of Chicago, will speak on "The Riemann Zeta-Function, Modular Forms, and Lie Algebras" at 4:00 PM in Math 501. Refreshments will be served at 3:30 PM in Math 401N.

Friday, November 15

Brown Bag Seminar: Regan Murray, Program in Applied Mathematics, University of Arizona, will speak on "Traveling Waves in a Bioremediation Model" at 12:00 PM in Math 402.
Abstract: Bioremediation is a natural process by which organic contaminants are degraded by indigent bacteria. This process can be enhanced by the addition of nutrients like oxygen and nitrogen to the groundwater. As bacteria utilize the nutrients and consume the contaminant, the population of microbes grows. On an infinite domain, the spreading of the nutrient concentration and the retreating contaminant concentration form traveling waves while the bacteria population forms a traveling pulse. In this talk, I will present a simple model for bioremediation which consists of two reaction-diffusion-advection equations and one rate-equation, and I will show the existence of traveling wave solutions.

Unix Utilities Workshop: Jose' Torres, Department of Mathematics, University of Arizona, will speak on "An Introduction to Emacs" at 2:00 PM in Math 224.
Abstract: We will discuss the basic commands to move within and edit a document in emacs. We will also look at file handling, query search, and query search and replace. New users are especially encouraged to attend. If you can't make it, all materials presented are available online.

Applied Mathematics Colloquium: Satoshi Hamaguchi, IBM T.J. Watson Research Center, will speak on "Simulation of Micro-Profile Evolution: A Shock-Tracking Algorithm for Etching and Deposition" at 4:00 PM in Math 501. Refreshments will be served at 3:30 PM in Math 401N.
Abstract: An understanding of the evolution of microscopic surface features under etching or deposition processes is of considerable practical importance in integrated--circuit (IC) manufacturing. In this presentation computational models for such surface evolution will be discussed. If surface diffusion is negligible, the surface motion is governed by a Hamilton-Jacobi-like equation with appropriate entropy conditions. In the shock-tracking method, the surface (in 2D) is represented by a piecewise-linear function and the motion of each node (i.e., edge of a line segment) is regarded as the propagation of the slope discontinuity. Mathematically such discontinuity may correspond to a shock wave, i.e., a discontinuous solution

Departmental Announcements

Lars Ahlfors Memorial Conference: Professor Lars Ahlfors passed away on October 11, 1996 at the age of 89. The Harvard Mathematics Department is organizing a one-day Memorial Conference at Harvard on December 16, 1996 (Monday) for Professor Lars Ahlfors. For more information see Jerrie or Carole in Math 108.

Mathematics Graduate Students: If you have decided to take the programming examination this fall and wish the Department to schedule a series of short workshops on use of the Linux operating system (on which the exams are to be given), please send an email message to the computer staff -- system@math.arizona.edu -- with your name and time preference.

Adjunct Faculty: The Mathematics Department can now offer Sun computer accounts to all adjunct faculty members. The Sun accounts provide access to the World Wide Web, email, netnews, TeX word processing, and Unix computing. Each week, the Department hosts Unix Utilities and Software Interest Group meetings where usage of the Sun computer systems is discussed. Please contact the Algebra Office if you would like to have a Mathematics Sun computer account (and/or a series of Unix computing talks for adjunct faculty).

Please Remember to Turn In your United Way Forms to Jerrie or Carole in Math 108 (even if you choose not to donate). Thank you!!