Pavel Kurasov: Why should physicists and mathematicians speak to each other?

• Can physicists survive without mathematicians?
• Why is it necessary to study math in order to do research in other natural sciences?
• Is it possible for a mathematicians to do research without speaking to physicsts?
• Is it necessary for physicists and mathematicians to live as cats and dogs? (see  Mathematicians and Physicists = Cats and Dogs?, Ya.\,Sinai, Bulletin AMS, 43, October 2006, 563-565).

I shall tell two stories from my own research as a mathematician. Both stories are about
physical problems that needed rigorous mathematical formulation in order to be solvable.

Problem 1
Schrödinger equation with singular potential $ \left(- \frac{d^2}{dx^2} + \frac{\gamma}{x-x_0} \right) \psi = E \psi . $

Problem 2
Eigenfrequences for matrix graphs. Is it possible to determine the number of cycles in the graph?

We really hope that students will come in order to make the discussion lively.

We meet at the lunch room in building 6 to share simple food afterwards. Drinks for sale.