Fields Medal winner mathematician dies (Michael Atiyah)

Fields Medal winner mathematician dies (Michael Atiyah)

One of the world's foremost mathematicians, Prof Sir Michael Atiyah, has died at the age of 89.

Sir Michael, who worked at Cambridge University before he retired, made outstanding contributions to geometry and topology.

Sir Michael was a recipient of the highest honour in mathematics, a Fields Medal. 

Sir Michael was also a recipient of the Abel Prize and former president of the Royal Society.

His contribution

Sir Michael was best known for his co-development of a branch of mathematics called topological K-theory and the Atiyah-Singer index theorem.

His research also involved deep insights relating to mathematical concepts known as "vector bundles".

His work in these areas has helped theoretical physicists to advance their understanding of quantum field theory and general relativity.