Yuqing Shi and I are organising a reading seminar on orientations of structured ring spectra. The goal will be to understand the construction of the Spin and String orientations on real K-theory $\mathrm{KO}$, and the String orientation on topological modular forms $\mathrm{tmf}$. We (usually) meet on Tuesdays, from 13:30 to 15:30; any deviations are indicated in the schedule below. Note that the location changes a couple of times.
We have prepared a list of abstracts for the talks.
Schedule
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March 1, 13:30-15:30, in Minnaert 0.16.
1. Introduction, Lennart Meier. -
March 8, 13:30-15:30, in Minnaert 0.16.
2. Prerequisites, Miguel Barrero. -
March 15, 13:30-15:30, in Minnaert 0.16.
3. Thom spectra, Max Blans. -
March 22, 13:30-15:30, in Minnaert 0.16.
4. The $\widehat{A}$-genus, Yuqing Shi. -
March 29, 13:30-15:30, in Minnaert 0.16.
5. The Atiyah–Bott–Shapiro orientation as a map of spectra, Miguel Barata. -
April 5, 13:30-15:30, in HFG 610.
6. Elliptic curves and elliptic genera, Sven van Nigtevecht. -
April 12, 13:30-15:30, in BBG 161.
7. Calculations with elliptic genera and properties. -
April 19, 13:30-15:30, in BBG 161.
8. Introduction to $\mathrm{TMF}$, Jack Davies. -
April 26, 13:30-15:30, in BBG 161.
9. Introduction to the Witten genus, Luuk Stehouwer. -
May 3, 13:30-15:30, in BBG 161.
10. $\mathrm{TMF}$ and String bordism.