Arlie O Petters, Benjamin Powell Professor & Professor of Mathematics, Physics, and Business Administration

Contact Info:

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

Teaching (Fall 2009):

• MATH 215.01, MATHEMATICAL FINANCE

  Physics 235, MW 08:30 AM-09:45 AM

• MATH 215.02, MATHEMATICAL FINANCE

  Physics 235, MW 01:15 PM-02:30 PM

Education:

Ph.D., MIT, 1991 (Mathematics)
B.A./M.A., Hunter College, CUNY, 1986 (Mathematics and Physics)

Specialties:

Mathematical Physics
Applied Math
Geometry
Probability

Research Interests:

• Mathematical Physics:
  Mathematics - Differential Geometry, Singularities, Probability Theory
  Physics - Gravitational Lensing, General Relativity, Astrophysics, Cosmology

  My current research in mathematical physics 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, singularities, and probability theory). A mathematical theory of gravitational lensing is presented in the monograph:
  Singularity Theory and Gravitational Lensing (A. O. Petters, H. Levine, and J. Wamsbganss).
  

• Business Administration:
  Mathematical Finance
  Entrepreneurship and Innovation

  I am co-authoring a text on Mathematical Finance with Xiaoying Dong, who is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in our department and a trader for about 20 years. In addition, I am involved with Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Science and Technology for the Developing World. These efforts are being piloted in Belize in collaboration with the Petters Research Institute and through my joint appointment with Duke's Fuqua School of Business. The overall goal is to research and implement innovative ways to drive national development through high-tech industries.
  

Curriculum Vitae

Current Ph.D. Students   (Former Students)

• Amir Aazami
• Alberto M. Teguia

Postdocs Mentored

• Marcus Werner (2009/07/01 - 2011/06)
• Kumar Virbhadra (2000/09-2002/02)

Recent Publications   (More Publications)

1. A. M. Aazami and A.O. Petters, A Universal Magnification Theorem for Higher-Order Caustic Singularities, J. Math. Phys., vol. 50 (2009), pp. 032501 [3447].
2. A. O. Petters, Gravitational Lensing and Black Holes (August, 2009), in preparation.
3. X. Dong and A. O. Petters, Mathematical Finance II (June, 2009), in preparation.
4. A. B. Aazami and A.O. Petters, A Universal Magnification Theorem II. Generic Caustics up to Codimension Five (Submitted, 2009).
5. X. Dong and A.O. Petters, Mathematical Finance I (June, 2009), in preparation.