Presents an introduction to the conformally invariant processes that appear as scaling limits. This book covers such topics as stochastic integration, and complex Brownian motion and measures derived from Brownian motion. It is suitable for those interested in random processes and their applications in theoretical physics.

Theoretical physicists have predicted that the scaling limits of many two-dimensional lattice models in statistical physics are in some sense conformally invariant. This belief has allowed physicists to predict many quantities for these critical systems. The nature of these scaling limits has recently been described precisely by using one well-known tool, Brownian motion, and a new construction, the Schramm-Loewner evolution (SLE). This book is an introduction to the conformally invariant processes that appear as scaling limits. The following topics are covered: stochastic integration; complex Brownian motion and measures derived from Brownian motion; conformal mappings and univalent functions; the Loewner differential equation and Loewner chains; the Schramm-Loewner evolution (SLE), which is a Loewner chain with a Brownian motion input; and applications to intersection exponents for Brownian motion. The prerequisites are first-year graduate courses in real analysis, complex analysis, and probability. The book is suitable for graduate students and research mathematicians interested in random processes and their applications in theoretical physics.

In 2003 the XIV International Congress on Mathematical Physics (ICMP) was held in Lisbon with more than 500 participants. Twelve plenary talks were given in various fields of Mathematical Physics: E Carlen «On the relation between the Master equation and the Boltzmann Equation in Kinetic Theory»; A Chenciner «Symmetries and “simple” solutions of the classical n-body problem»; M J Esteban «Relativistic models in atomic and molecular physics»; K Fredenhagen «Locally covariant quantum field theory»; K Gawedzki «Simple models of turbulent transport»; I Krichever «Algebraic versus Liouville integrability of the soliton systems»; R V Moody «Long-range order and diffraction in mathematical quasicrystals»; S Smirnov «Critical percolation and conformal invariance»; J P Solovej «The energy of charged matter»; V Schomerus «Strings through the microscope»; C Villani «Entropy production and convergence to equilibrium for the Boltzmann equation»; D Voiculescu «Aspects of free probability».The book collects as well carefully selected invited Session Talks in: Dynamical Systems, Integrable Systems and Random Matrix Theory, Condensed Matter Physics, Equilibrium Statistical Mechanics, Quantum Field Theory, Operator Algebras and Quantum Information, String and M Theory, Fluid Dynamics and Nonlinear PDE, General Relativity, Nonequilibrium Statistical Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics and Spectral Theory, Path Integrals and Stochastic Analysis.

The European Congress of Mathematics, held every four years, has established itself as a major international mathematical event. Following those in Paris, 1992, Budapest, 1996, and Barcelona, 2000, the Fourth European Congress of Mathematics took place in Stockholm, Sweden, June 27 to July 2, 2004, with 913 participants from 65 countries. Apart from seven plenary and thirty three invited lectures, there were six Science Lectures covering the most relevant aspects of mathematics in science and technology. Moreover, twelve projects of the EU Research Training Networks in Mathematics and Information Sciences, as well as Programmes from the European Science Foundation in Physical and Engineering Sciences, were presented. Ten EMS Prizes were awarded to young European mathematicians who have made a particular contribution to the progress of mathematics. Five of the prizewinners were independently chosen by the 4ECM Scientific Committee as plenary or invited speakers. The other five prizewinners gave their lectures in parallel sessions. Most of these contributions are now collected in this volume, providing a permanent record of so much that is best in mathematics today.

This volume consists of a collection of invited articles, written by some of the most distinguished probabilists, most of whom have been personally responsible for advances in the various subfields of probability.

This volume is dedicated to the memory of the late Oded Schramm (1961-2008), distinguished mathematician. Throughout his career, Schramm made profound and beautiful contributions to mathematics that will have a lasting influence. In these two volumes, Editors Itai Benjamini and Olle Häggström have collected some of his papers, supplemented with three survey papers by Steffen Rohde, Häggström and Cristophe Garban that further elucidate his work. The papers within are a representative collection that shows the breadth, depth, enthusiasm and clarity of his work, with sections on Geometry, Noise Sensitivity, Random Walks and Graph Limits, Percolation, and finally Schramm-Loewner Evolution. An introduction by the Editors and a comprehensive bibliography of Schramm's publications complete the volume. The book will be of especial interest to researchers in probability and geometry, and in the history of these subjects.

'I very much enjoyed reading this book … Each chapter comes with well thought-out exercises, solutions to which are given at the end of the chapter. Conformal Maps and Geometry presents key topics in geometric function theory and the theory of univalent functions, and also prepares the reader to progress to study the SLE. It succeeds admirably on both counts.'MathSciNetGeometric function theory is one of the most interesting parts of complex analysis, an area that has become increasingly relevant as a key feature in the theory of Schramm-Loewner evolution.Though Riemann mapping theorem is frequently explored, there are few texts that discuss general theory of univalent maps, conformal invariants, and Loewner evolution. This textbook provides an accessible foundation of the theory of conformal maps and their connections with geometry.It offers a unique view of the field, as it is one of the first to discuss general theory of univalent maps at a graduate level, while introducing more complex theories of conformal invariants and extremal lengths. Conformal Maps and Geometry is an ideal resource for graduate courses in Complex Analysis or as an analytic prerequisite to study the theory of Schramm-Loewner evolution.