Differential models for the Anderson dual to bordism theories and invertible QFT's, I

Abstract

In this paper, we construct new models for the Anderson duals $(I\Omega^G)^*$ to the stable tangential $G$-bordism theories and their differential extensions. The cohomology theory $(I\Omega^G)^*$ is conjectured by Freed and Hopkins [FH21] to classify deformation classes of possibly non-topological invertible quantum field theories (QFT's). Our model is made by abstractizing certain properties of invertible QFT's, thus supporting their conjecture.