Arlie O Petters, Professor of Mathematics and Physics

Contact Info:

Office Location:	208 Physics Bldg
Office Phone:	(919) 660-2812
Email Address:
Web Page:	http://www.math.duke.edu/~petters

Education:

Ph.D., MIT, 1991 (Mathematics)
Exchange scholar, Princeton University, 1988-1991
B.A./M.A. Hunter College - C.U.N.Y., 1986

Specialties:

Mathematical Physics
Geometry
Probability

Research Interests:

Mathematical Physics - Gravitational Lensing, General Relativity, Astrophysics, Cosmology
Mathematics - Differential Geometry, Singularity Theory, Probability Theory

My current research deals with employing weak and strong deflection gravitational lensing to test theories of gravity, explore the geometry of spacetime around black holes, and probe the nature of dark matter on galactic scales. I utilize tools from astrophysics, cosmology, general relativity, high energy physics, and a variety of mathematical fields (e.g., differential geometry, singularity theory, and probability theory).

A mathematical theory of gravitational lensing is presented in the following book:
Singularity Theory and Gravitational Lensing.

Current Ph.D. Students  

• Marcus Werner
• Amir Aazami
• Alberto Teguia

Postdocs Mentored

• Kumar Virbhadra (2000/09-2002/02)

Recent Publications   (More Publications)

1. A. O. Petters, Gravitational Lensing by Black Holes (February, 2008), in preparation.
2. X. Dong and A. O. Petters, Mathematical Finance II (November, 2007), in preparation.
3. X. Dong and A.O. Petters, Mathematical Finance I (November, 2007), in preparation.
4. M. C. Werner and A.O. Petters, Magnification Relations for Kerr Lensing and Testing Cosmic Censorship, Physical Review D, vol. 76 (September, 2007), pp. 064024.
5. A.O. Petters, Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry: Teacher Edition (August, 2007), BRC, Benque-Belize.