ICM 2026 Invited Section Lectures - Konstanze Rietsch

ICM 2026 Invited Section Lectures - Konstanze Rietsch

Formal & Physical Sciences Mathematics PBMathematics
🎙 Konstanze Rietsch 👥 60K 📅 September 21, 2026 ⏱ 40 min 👁 15 📄 original study 🧭 2026-09-21
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

Toeplitztotal positivitytropicalizationLusztig basisquantum cohomology

Summary

The lecture begins with a simple pre-theorem characterizing the multiplication table of natural numbers as the unique normalized divergence-free vertex labeling of an infinite quiver with positivity and growth conditions. It then introduces totally positive upper-triangular Toeplitz matrices, sequences of positive reals with all minors positive. Classical results by Edrei, Schoenberg, Whitney, and others parameterize infinite totally nonnegative Toeplitz matrices via sequences of roots and poles of a generating function. The modern approach uses finite matrices and their anti-principal minors to give an analytic bijection to a torus. The talk then moves to tropicalization, replacing the positive reals with the tropical semifield, leading to the notion of min-ideal fillings and a tropical analogue of the parameterization theorem. Asymptotic limits recover the Shur (Edrei) parameters from Lusztig weights. The second part connects to flag varieties and quantum cohomology: Dale Peterson’s presentation of the quantum cohomology ring of SL_n/B via Toeplitz matrices allows an asymptotic interpretation of the Chern roots and quantum parameters in terms of the Edrei parameters. The final theorems state that the limits of Chern roots yield poles and roots, and normalized quantum parameters yield combinations of these parameters. The talk synthesizes classical total positivity, tropical geometry, and quantum cohomology, revealing deep connections.

204 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The lecture provides significant value by establishing novel asymptotic interpretations of the Shur (Edrei) parameters through two distinct frameworks: tropicalization and quantum cohomology. The argumentation is rigorous and well-structured, progressing from classical total positivity to modern algebraic geometry. The speaker clearly motivates each step and carefully states assumptions and conditions. The inclusion of explicit examples and the step-by-step construction of tropical and quantum analogues strengthen the credibility of the claims. The presentation is dense but logically coherent, making original connections between seemingly disparate areas of mathematics.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The scientific rigor is high, as expected from an ICM invited lecture. The speaker references classical works by Edrei, Schoenberg, Whitney, and Thoma, as well as modern contributions from Lusztig, Peterson, and others, though without formal citations on screen. The arguments are technically sound, and the speaker notes the difficulty of certain steps and the contributions of collaborators. The title accurately reflects the content, which precisely covers classical and modern aspects of totally positive Toeplitz matrices. The talk is self-contained and avoids overclaiming; open problems and technical conditions are explicitly stated. Overall, the lecture meets the standards of a high-level research conference.

203 words

Title / Content Match

The title exactly matches the content: an invited lecture on totally positive Toeplitz matrices, covering both classical and modern aspects.

Quality & Reliability

8/10

The lecture is given by a renowned mathematician at an ICM section, presenting rigorous results. The content is dense but logically presented. The mathematical statements are precise, and the speaker acknowledges contributions and references.

Key Moments

Contribution & Novelties

The talk presents two new asymptotic interpretations of the Shur (Edrei) parameters: one via tropicalization involving Lusztig’s canonical basis and another via the quantum cohomology of flag varieties. It bridges classical total positivity with modern topics like tropical geometry and quantum cohomology, offering a unified perspective. The finite-to-infinite limit techniques and the concise theorems (Theorems A and B) constitute original results.

Pour aller plus loin :

98 words

Radar Profile

The profile shows extremely high technical depth and information density, with balanced quality and reliability. The lecture is specialized and rigorous, suitable for experts in algebraic combinatorics and related fields.

Reliability 9/10