Academic Report of School of Mathematical Sciences [2026] No. 107

(Series Report for High-Level University Construction No. 1366)

Title：Short Course on Circular Pile Theory and Related Topics

Speaker：Assistant Professor Ba Te (Peking University)

Time：Nov. 13-17, 2026 (See the course schedule below for specific details)

Location：Room 1420, Huiwen Building

Abstract:This course will introduce several classic results in the theory of circular stacks. First, the course will review the historical development of the theory of circular stacks, covering classic topics such as the Koebe circular stack theorem, the Koebe–Andreev–Thurston theorem, the relationship between circular stacks and discrete conformal maps, and the existence and rigidity of infinite circular stacks. It will also provide an overview of the connections between circular stacks and other branches of mathematics, such as complex analysis and geometric topology. Subsequently, the course will cover Koebe’s proof of the circle-stacking theorem, Thurston’s proof of the Koebe–Andreev–Thurston theorem, and Rodin–Sullivan’s proof that circle-stacking approximates the Riemann map. In addition, the course will introduce the variational principle in circle-stacking developed by Colin de Verdière and the combinatorial Ricci flow on surfaces introduced by Chow–Luo.

Speaker Profile：Ba Te is a postdoctoral researcher at the Beijing International Center for Mathematical Research at Peking University, where his collaborating advisor is Professor Sun Xin. Dr. Bate graduated from the School of Mathematics at Hunan University, where his advisor was Professor Zhou Ze. His primary research interests include complex analysis, circular packing, and discrete and computational geometry. His major research findings have been published in journals such as Calc. Var. Partial Differ. Equations, J. Math. Anal. Appl., and Nonlinear Anal.

Class Schedule: November 13, 15, and 17, 2026, 2:30–4:30 p.m.

November 14 and 16, 2026, 9:00–11:00 a.m.

Invited by: Zhou Ze

School of Mathematical Sciences

October 30, 2026