Universal polynomials in lambda rings and the K-theory of the infinite loop space tmf

The algebraic structure of the K-theory of a topological space is described by the more general notion of a lambda ring. We show how computations in a lambda ring are facilitated by the use of Adams operations, which are ring homomorphisms, and apply this principle to understand the algebraic structure. In a torsion free ring the Adams operations completely determine the lambda ring. This principle can be used to determine the K-theory of an infinite loop space functorially in terms of the K-theory of the corresponding spectrum. In particular we obtain a description of the K-theory of the infinite loop space tmf in terms of Katz's ring of divided congruences of modular forms. At primes greater than 3 we can also relate this to a Hecke algebra.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mathematics.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2006

Author dc:creator

• Hopkinson, John R. (John Robert)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Michael J. Hopkins.

• Mathematics.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/34544

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/34544