Berry–Robbins problem
{{Short description|Mathematics problem}}
In mathematics, the Berry–Robbins problem asks whether there is a continuous map from configurations of n points in R3 to the flag manifold U(n)/Tn that is compatible with the action of the symmetric group on n points. It was posed by Berry and Robbins in 1997,{{Citation | last1=Berry | first1=Michael V. | author1-link=Michael Berry (physicist) | last2=Robbins | first2=J. M. | title=Indistinguishability for quantum particles: spin, statistics and the geometric phase | doi=10.1098/rspa.1997.0096 | mr=1469170 | year=1997 | journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences | issn=0962-8444 | volume=453 | issue=1963 | pages=1771–1790| bibcode=1997RSPSA.453.1771B }} and solved positively by Atiyah in 2000.{{Citation | last1=Atiyah | first1=Michael | author1-link=Michael Atiyah | title=Surveys in differential geometry | publisher=Int. Press, Somerville, MA | series=Surv. Differ. Geom., VII | mr=1919420 | year=2000 | chapter=The geometry of classical particles | pages=1–15}}{{Citation | last1=Atiyah | first1=Michael | author1-link=Michael Atiyah | title=Configurations of points | doi=10.1098/rsta.2001.0840 | mr=1853626 | year=2001 | journal= Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences| issn=1364-503X | volume=359 | issue=1784 | pages=1375–1387| bibcode=2001RSPTA.359.1375A }}