$\mathit{tmf}$-based Mahowald invariants

Abstract

The $2$-primary homotopy $\beta$-family, defined as the collection of Mahowald invariants of Mahowald invariants of $2^i$, $i \geq 1$, is an infinite collection of periodic elements in the stable homotopy groups of spheres. In this paper, we calculate $\mathit{tmf}$-based approximations to this family. Our calculations combine an analysis of the Atiyah-Hirzebruch spectral sequence for the Tate construction of $\mathit{tmf}$ with trivial $C_2$-action and Behrens' filtered Mahowald invariant machinery.