Half-integral weight Eichler integrals and quantum modular forms

Abstract

In analogy with the classical theory of Eichler integrals for integral weight modular forms, Lawrence and Zagier considered examples of Eichler integrals of certain half-integral weight modular forms. These served as early prototypes of a new type of object, which Zagier later called a quantum modular form. Since then, a number of others have studied similar examples. Here we develop the theory in a general context, giving rise to a well-defined class of quantum modular forms. Since elements of this class show up frequently in examples of combinatorial and number theoretical interest, we propose the study of the general properties of this space of quantum modular forms. We conclude by raising fundamental questions concerning this space of objects which merit further study.