Tensors: Asymptotic Geometry and Developments 2016-2018

Tensors are used throughout the sciences, especially in solid state physics and quantum information theory. This book brings a geometric perspective to the use of tensors in these areas. It begins with an introduction to the geometry of tensors and provides geometric expositions of the basics of quantum information theory, Strassen's laser method for matrix multiplication, and moment maps in algebraic geometry. It also details several exciting recent developments regarding tensors in general. In particular, it discusses and explains the following material previously only available in the original research papers: (1) Shitov's 2017 refutation of longstanding conjectures of Strassen on rank additivity and Common on symmetric rank; (2) The 2017 Christandl-Vrana-Zuiddam quantum spectral points that bring together quantum information theory, the asymptotic geometry of tensors, matrix multiplication complexity, and moment polytopes in geometric invariant theory; (3) the use of representation theory in quantum information theory, including the solution of the quantum marginal problem; (4) the use of tensor network states in solid state physics, and (5) recent geometric paths towards upper bounds for the complexity of matrix multiplication.

Numerous open problems appropriate for graduate students and post-docs are included throughout.