Logarithmic moments of characteristic polynomials of random matrices

In a recent article we have discussed the connections between averages of powers of Riemann's $\zeta$-function on the critical line, and averages of characteristic polynomials of random matrices. The result for random matrices was shown to be universal, i.e. independent of the specific probability distribution, and the results were derived for arbitrary moments. This allows one to extend the previous results to logarithmic moments, for which we derive the explicit universal expressions in random matrix theory. We then compare these results to various results and conjectures for $\zeta$-functions, and the correspondence is again striking.Comment: 10 pages, late

Perturbative analysis of an n-Ising model on a random surface

Two dimensional quantum gravity coupled to a conformally invariant matter field of central charge c=n/2, is represented, in a discretized version, by n independent Ising spins per cell of the triangulations of a random surface. The matrix integral representation of this model leads to a diagrammatic expansion at large orders, when the Ising coupling constant is tuned to criticality, one extracts the values of the string susceptibility exponent. We extend our previous calculation to order eight for genus zero and investigate now also the genus one case in order to check the possibility of having a well-defined double scaling limit even c>1.Comment: 9p

Intersection numbers of Riemann surfaces from Gaussian matrix models

We consider a Gaussian random matrix theory in the presence of an external matrix source. This matrix model, after duality (a simple version of the closed/open string duality), yields a generalized Kontsevich model through an appropriate tuning of the external source. The n-point correlation functions of this theory are shown to provide the intersection numbers of the moduli space of curves with a p-spin structure, n marked points and top Chern class. This sheds some light on Witten's conjecture on the relationship with the pth-KdV equation

Renormalization Group Approach to Matrix Models

Matrix models of 2D quantum gravity are either exactly solvable for matter of central charge $c\leq 1,$ or not understood. It would be useful to devise an approximate scheme which would be reasonable for the known cases and could be carried to the unsolved cases in order to achieve at least a qualitative understanding of the properties of the models. The double scaling limit is an indication that a change of the length scale induces a flow in the parameters of the theory, the size of the matrix and the coupling constants for matrix models, at constant long distances physics. We construct here these renormalization group equations at lowest orders in various cases to check that we reproduce qualitatively the properties of $c\leq 1$ models

Characteristic polynomials of random matrices at edge singularities

We have discussed earlier the correlation functions of the random variables \det(\la-X) in which $X$ is a random matrix. In particular the moments of the distribution of these random variables are universal functions, when measured in the appropriate units of the level spacing. When the \la's, instead of belonging to the bulk of the spectrum, approach the edge, a cross-over takes place to an Airy or to a Bessel problem, and we consider here these modified classes of universality. Furthermore, when an external matrix source is added to the probability distribution of $X$, various new phenomenons may occur and one can tune the spectrum of this source matrix to new critical points. Again there are remarkably simple formulae for arbitrary source matrices, which allow us to compute the moments of the characteristic polynomials in these cases as well.Comment: 22 pages, late

Asymptotics of unitary and othogonal matrix integrals

In this paper, we prove that in small parameter regions, arbitrary unitary matrix integrals converge in the large $N$ limit and match their formal expansion. Secondly we give a combinatorial model for our matrix integral asymptotics and investigate examples related to free probability and the HCIZ integral. Our convergence result also leads us to new results of smoothness of microstates. We finally generalize our approach to integrals over the othogonal group.Comment: 41 pages, important modifications, new section about orthogonal integral

Introduction to statistical field theory

Written for advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students, this textbook provides a concise introduction to statistical field theory