The Moduli Space of Curves

by Robert H. Dijkgraaf

The moduli space Mg of curves of fixed genus g – that is, the algebraic variety that parametrizes all curves of genus g – is one of the most intriguing objects of study in algebraic geometry these days. Its appeal results not only from its beautiful mathematical structure but also from recent developments in theoretical physics, in particular in conformal field theory. Leading experts in the field explore in this volume both the structure of the moduli space of curves and its relationship with physics through quantum cohomology. Altogether, this is a lively volume that testifies to the...