In the monograph a new approach to deformation quantization on a symplectic manifold is developed. This approach gives rise to an important invariant, the so-called Weyl curvature, which is a formal deformation of the symplectic form. The isomophy classes of the deformed algebras are classified by the cohomology classes of the coefficients of the Weyl curvature. These algebras have many common features with the algebra of complete symbols of pseudodifferential operators except that in general there are no corresponding operator algebras. Nevertheless, the developed calculus allows to define the notion of an elliptic element and its index as well as to prove an index theorem similar to that of Atiyah-Singer for elliptic operators. The corresponding index formula contains the Weyl curvature and the usual ingredients entering the Atiyah-Singer formula. Applications of the index theorem are connected with the so-called asymptotic operator representation of the deformed algebra (the operator quantization), the formal deformation parameter h should be replaced by a numerical one ranging over some admissible set of the unit interval having 0 as its limit point. The fact that the index of any elliptic operator is an integer results in necessary quantization conditions: the index of any elliptic element should be asymptotically integer-valued as h tends to 0 over the admissible set. For a compact manifold a direct construction of the asymptotic operator representation shows that these conditions are also sufficient. Finally, a reduction theorem for deformation quantization is proved generalizing the classical Marsden-Weinstein theorem. In this case the index theorem gives the Bohr-Sommerfeld quantization rule and the multiplicities of eigenvalues.

This book contains eleven refereed research papers on deformation quantization by leading experts in the respective fields. These contributions are based on talks presented on the occasion of the meeting between mathematicians and theoretical physicists held in Strasbourg in May 2001. Topics covered are: star-products over Poisson manifolds, quantization of Hopf algebras, index theorems, globalization and cohomological problems. Both the mathematical and the physical approach ranging from asymptotic quantum electrodynamics to operads and prop theory will be presented. Historical remarks and surveys set the results presented in perspective. Directed at research mathematicians and theoretical physicists as well as graduate students, the volume will give an overview of a field of research that has seen enourmous acticity in the last years, with new ties to many other areas of mathematics and physics.

In the monograph a new approach to deformation quantization on a symplectic manifold is developed. This approach gives rise to an important invariant, the so-called Weyl curvature, which is a formal deformation of the symplectic form. The isomophy classes of the deformed algebras are classified by the cohomology classes of the coefficients of the Weyl curvature. These algebras have many common features with the algebra of complete symbols of pseudodifferential operators except that in general there are no corresponding operator algebras. Nevertheless, the developed calculus allows to define the notion of an elliptic element and its index as well as to prove an index theorem similar to that of Atiyah-Singer for elliptic operators. The corresponding index formula contains the Weyl curvature and the usual ingredients entering the Atiyah-Singer formula. Applications of the index theorem are connected with the so-called asymptotic operator representation of the deformed algebra (the operator quantization), the formal deformation parameter h should be replaced by a numerical one ranging over some admissible set of the unit interval having 0 as its limit point. The fact that the index of any elliptic operator is an integer results in necessary quantization conditions: the index of any elliptic element should be asymptotically integer-valued as h tends to 0 over the admissible set. For a compact manifold a direct construction of the asymptotic operator representation shows that these conditions are also sufficient. Finally, a reduction theorem for deformation quantization is proved generalizing the classical Marsden-Weinstein theorem. In this case the index theorem gives the Bohr-Sommerfeld quantization rule and the multiplicities of eigenvalues.

This book brings together both the classical and current aspects of deformation theory. The presentation is mostly self-contained, assuming only basic knowledge of commutative algebra, homological algebra and category theory. In the interest of readability, some technically complicated proofs have been omitted when a suitable reference was available. The relation between the uniform continuity of algebraic maps and topologized tensor products is explained in detail, however, as this subject does not seem to be commonly known and the literature is scarce. The exposition begins by recalling Gerstenhaber's classical theory for associative algebras. The focus then shifts to a homotopy-invariant setup of Maurer-Cartan moduli spaces. As an application, Kontsevich's approach to deformation quantization of Poisson manifolds is reviewed. Then, after a brief introduction to operads, a strongly homotopy Lie algebra governing deformations of (diagrams of) algebras of a given type is described, followed by examples and generalizations.

In 1997, M. Kontsevich proved that every Poisson manifold admits a formal quantization, canonical up to equivalence. In doing so he solved a longstanding problem in mathematical physics. Through his proof and his interpretation of a later proof given by Tamarkin, he also opened up new research avenues in Lie theory, quantum group theory, deformation theory and the study of operads ... and uncovered fascinating links of these topics with number theory, knot theory and the theory of motives. Without doubt, his work on deformation quantization will continue to influence these fields for many years to come. In the three parts of this volume, we will 1) present the main results of Kontsevich's 1997 preprint and sketch his interpretation of Tamarkin's approach, 2) show the relevance of Kontsevich's theorem for Lie theory and 3) explain the idea from topological string theory which inspired Kontsevich's proof. An appendix is devoted to the geometry of configuration spaces.

These two volumes constitute the Proceedings of the `Conférence Moshé Flato, 1999'. Their spectrum is wide but the various areas covered are, in fact, strongly interwoven by a common denominator, the unique personality and creativity of the scientist in whose honor the Conference was held, and the far-reaching vision that underlies his scientific activity. With these two volumes, the reader will be able to take stock of the present state of the art in a number of subjects at the frontier of current research in mathematics, mathematical physics, and physics. Volume I is prefaced by reminiscences of and tributes to Flato's life and work. It also includes a section on the applications of sciences to insurance and finance, an area which was of interest to Flato before it became fashionable. The bulk of both volumes is on physical mathematics, where the reader will find these ingredients in various combinations, fundamental mathematical developments based on them, and challenging interpretations of physical phenomena. Audience: These volumes will be of interest to researchers and graduate students in a variety of domains, ranging from abstract mathematics to theoretical physics and other applications. Some parts will be accessible to proficient undergraduate students, and even to persons with a minimum of scientific knowledge but enough curiosity.

This volume, based on lectures and short communications at a summer school in Villa de Leyva, Colombia (July 2005), offers an introduction to some recent developments in several active topics at the interface between geometry, topology and quantum field theory. It is aimed at graduate students in physics or mathematics who might want insight in the following topics (covered in five survey lectures): Anomalies and noncommutative geometry, Deformation quantisation and Poisson algebras, Topological quantum field theory and orbifolds. These lectures are followed by nine articles on various topics at the borderline of mathematics and physics ranging from quasicrystals to invariant instantons through black holes, and involving a number of mathematical tools borrowed from geometry, algebra and analysis.