My co-author has not responded my email I am a postdoc in mathematics. I read a paper of a Chinese mathematician some time ago and I found out that I could extend it. Therefore, I dropped an email to him, and then he told me if I could do it, it would be an interesting result. He also told me &quot; I would be happy to know if you have anything to share with me,&quot; I thought that meant he would like to work with me. So, I wrote an email to him that contains all of my ideas. Now, I found out that my ideas work and everything correct.
My problem is he hasn't replied to my email after two weeks and I might be pessimistic but I am scared he steals my ideas and whatever I explained to him.
Even though I am a postdoc, he is a well-known mathematician. Moreover, we both use university emails to contact each other. What should I do now? Thanks in advance.
I have been writing it, but what I can do if he published it before me
Just go ahead and publish. The Chinese mathematician has not contributed to your work in any way other than saying that your results would be interesting. In fact, in my eyes it would be entirely inappropriate for this person to be your coauthor.
I would suggest though to also discuss this with your PI to make sure she/he agrees.