An Introduction to Topological Data Analysis for Physicists: From LGM to FRBs

Understand

Topological Data Analysis (TDA) is a novel, and relatively new approach to analysing high-dimensional data sets.

• It does this by focussing on global properties like the shape and connectivity of the data giving it a significant advantage over more conventional tools based on cluster analysis, a localised property of the data.
• However, some of its mathematical foundations, like algebraic topology and discrete Morse theory, are perceived as an intimidatingly steep upramp into the subject.
• Consequently, it has enjoyed much less popularity as a data-analysis tool than less abstract methods.