Applying Representation Theory to Random Walks
Time and place
12:30 PM on Thursday, May 3rd, 2018; NAC 6/113
Angela Hicks (Lehigh University)
Abstract
We'll talk about how representation theory can be used to formulaically determine fundamental questions about the rate of convergence of random walks on groups. We'll also discuss some of the difficulties in this approach, here focusing on joint work with Daniel Bump, Persi Diaconis, Laurent Miclo, and Harold Widom studying a simple random walk on the the Heisenberg group mod p (a particularly simple to describe noncommutative group). Analysis of a random walk on the group dates back to Zach, who was considering the effectiveness of certain random number generators. We'll assume a bit of basic group theory and probability, but otherwise aim for an elementary talk.
