Braids and Configuration Spaces

Explore the fascinating world of braids and configuration spaces in this 56-minute lecture by Alexander Suciu from Northeastern University. Delve into advanced mathematical concepts as part of the "Advancing Women in Mathematics Across the Americas" series. Learn about topology, homotopy, quotient topology, and unordered configurations. Discover the intricacies of braid groups, fundamental groups, and loop spaces. Examine the relationships between pure braids, color braids, and the swallowtail singularity. Gain insights into the Fox and Fadel theorem and its applications in understanding braid structures.

Introduction
Topology
Homotopy
quotient topology
quotient map
unordered configuration
braid groups
fundamental groups
loop spaces
fundamental group
path connected
base point
Fn
Fox and Fadel
Pure Braid
Color Braids
Braids
Kernel
Swallowtail singularity