\u200bArtin groups are a generalization of braid groups, and arise as the fundamental groups of configuration spaces associated with Coxeter groups. A long-standing open problem, called the $K(\\pi,1)$ conjecture, states that the higher homotopy groups of these configuration spaces are trivial. For finite Coxeter groups, this was proved by Deligne in 1972. In the first part of this talk, I will introduce Coxeter groups, Artin groups, and the $K(\\pi,1)$ conjecture (so that only a few topological and combinatorial prerequisites are needed). Then I will outline a recent proof of the $K(\\pi,1)$ conjecture in the affine case, which is joint work with Mario Salvetti.<\/p>\n
Click here<\/a> for the slides of the talk and here<\/a> to see the video of the talk.<\/p>\n Further information is available on the event page<\/a> on the Indico platform.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u200bArtin groups are a generalization of braid groups, and arise as the fundamental groups of configuration spaces associated with Coxeter groups. A long-standing open problem, called the\u00a0$K(\\pi,1)$ conjecture, states that the higher homotopy groups of…<\/p>\n