Topological modular forms and conformal nets

We describe the role conformal nets, a mathematical model for conformal field theory, could play in a geometric definition of the generalized cohomology theory TMF of topological modular forms. Inspired by work of Segal and Stolz-Teichner, we speculate that bundles of boundary conditions for the net of free fermions will be the basic underlying objects representing TMF-cohomology classes. String structures, which are the fundamental orientations for TMF-cohomology, can be encoded by defects between free fermions, and we construct the bundle of fermionic boundary conditions for the TMF-Euler class of a string vector bundle. We conjecture that the free fermion net exhibits an algebraic periodicity corresponding to the 576-fold cohomological periodicity of TMF; using a homotopy-theoretic invariant of invertible conformal nets, we establish a lower bound of 24 on this periodicity of the free fermions

General recursive solution for one dimensional quantum potentials: a simple tool for applied physics

A revision of the recursive method proposed by S.A. Shakir [Am. J.Phys. \textbf{52}, 845 (1984)] to solve bound eigenvalues of the Schr\"odinger equation is presented. Equations are further simplified and generalized for computing wave functions of any given one-dimensional potential, providing accurate solutions not only for bound states but also for scattering and resonant states, as demonstrated here for a few examples.Comment: Final version to appear in the Brazilian Magazine of Physics Teaching (http://www.sbfisica.org.br/noticias/publicacoes.shtml

Conformal nets I: coordinate-free nets

We describe a coordinate-free perspective on conformal nets, as functors from intervals to von Neumann algebras. We discuss an operation of fusion of intervals and observe that a conformal net takes a fused interval to the fiber product of von Neumann algebras. Though coordinate-free nets do not a priori have vacuum sectors, we show that there is a vacuum sector canonically associated to any circle equipped with a conformal structure. This is the first in a series of papers constructing a 3-category of conformal nets, defects, sectors, and intertwiners.Comment: Updated to published versio