Description
The goal of my two-part lecture series is to explain the definition of a (framed) topological quantum field theory (TQFT). A TQFT is defined as a symmetric monoidal functor from the $(\infty,n)$-category $\mathrm{Bord}_{n}^{\mathrm{fr}}$ of framed bordisms.
In the first lecture, we will introduce the foundational concepts of (symmetric monoidal) $(\infty,n)$-categories, setting the stage for the study of TQFTs.
In the second lecture, we define the $(\infty,n)$-category $\mathrm{Bord}_{n}^{\mathrm{fr}}$ and introduce TQFTs.
Finally, we discuss the Cobordism Hypothesis, a remarkable result asserting that a TQFT is determined entirely by its value on a point.
Author
Keima Akasaka
(Chiba University)