The topological \(q\)-expansion principle (Q1292684)

In the theory of modular forms, the \(q\)-expansion principle expresses the relation between a modular form and its \(q\)-expansion. The paper develops a topological version of the \(q\)-expansion principle as a natural transformation from elliptic homology to \(K\)-theory \(E_*\to K_*((q))\) given by taking the \(q\)-expansion. In cohomology, this says elements in elliptic cohomology are described as power series in virtual bundles over \(X\) which rationally behave in a modular fashion. Using these ideas, the author determines the structure of the cooperations in elliptic cohomology and computes the first two lines in the Adams-Novikov spectral sequence. The author also uses the \(q\)-expansion principle to give orientations to elliptic cohomology which satisfy Riemann-Roch theorems.