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Background
Arlie Petters has been the William and Sue Gross Associate Professor of Mathematics at Duke University since 1998 and was named director of undergraduate studies in the department in August 2002. Petters earned his BA and MA in mathematics and physics from Hunter College. He earned a PhD in mathematics from MIT.
Interests
Petters’ research involves mathematical physics, cosmology, singularity theory and differential geometry. Of special interest is gravitational lensing (explaining how light bends over massive distances) and its application to the possibility of a fourth spatial dimension. In recognition of his mentorship of minority students, he received the Service Award from the Princetonians of Color Network in 1996.
News Items
MLK Visiting Professor, Scholar named; 4 continue as MLK profs
Koffi Maglo and Patricia Powell join the cohort of MLK Visiting Professors and Scholars.
4 new MLK Visiting Professors named
The MLK Visiting Professors include two mathematicians, a material scientist and an urbanologist.
Sample Work
Publication
Singularity Theory and Gravitational Lensing
Petters, Arlie O., Harold Levine, and Joachim Wambsganss. Singularity theory and gravitational lensing. Vol. 21. Springer Science & Business Media, 2012.
Publication
Identifying Lenses with Small-Scale Structure. I. Cusp Lenses
Keeton, Charles R., B. Scott Gaudi, and A. O. Petters. “Identifying lenses with small-scale structure. I. Cusp lenses.” The Astrophysical Journal 598, no. 1 (2003): 138.
Publication
On Relativistic Corrections to Microlensing Effects: Applications to the Galactic Black Hole
Petters, A. O. “On relativistic corrections to microlensing effects: applications to the Galactic black hole.” Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 338, no. 2 (2003): 457-464.
Publication
Wavefronts, Caustic Sheets, and Caustic Surfing in Gravitational Lensing
Frittelli, Simonetta, and A. O. Petters. “Wavefronts, caustic sheets, and caustic surfing in gravitational lensing.” Journal of Mathematical Physics 43, no. 11 (2002): 5578-5611.