Theta functions, modular invariance, and strings (Q1083747)

Using the classical theory of theta functions, and some recent results of Quillen, we obtain the explicit dependence of the determinant of the Dirac operator on the spin structure of the fermions considered. In string theory this information is necessary because the full string partition function requires that one sums over the spin structures of the fermions involved, the results of this paper provide the starting point for a complete computation of determinants of Cauchy-Riemann operators coupled to arbitrary holomorphic line bundles on higher genus Riemann surfaces. These results were obtained by the authors, \textit{J. B. Bost} and \textit{P. Nelson} [ibid. (to appear)].