A Lichnerowicz estimate for the spectral gap of the sub-Laplacian

For a second order operator on a compact manifold satisfying the strong H\"ormander condition, we give a bound for the spectral gap analogous to the Lichnerowicz estimate for the Laplacian of a Riemannian manifold. We consider a wide class of such operators which includes horizontal lifts of the Laplacian on Riemannian submersions with minimal leaves.Comment: 13 pages. To appear in Proceedings of the AM

Heights, Regulators and Schinzel's determinant inequality

We prove inequalities that compare the size of an S-regulator with a product of heights of multiplicatively independent S-units. Our upper bound for the S-regulator follows from a general upper bound for the determinant of a real matrix proved by Schinzel. The lower bound for the S-regulator follows from Minkowski's theorem on successive minima and a volume formula proved by Meyer and Pajor. We establish similar upper bounds for the relative regulator of an extension of number fields.Comment: accepted for Publication in Acta Arit

Tracy-Widom GUE law and symplectic invariants

We establish the relation between two objects: an integrable system related to Painleve II equation, and the symplectic invariants of a certain plane curve \Sigma_{TW} describing the average eigenvalue density of a random hermitian matrix spectrum near a hard edge (a bound for its maximal eigenvalue). This explains directly how the Tracy-Widow law F_{GUE}, governing the distribution of the maximal eigenvalue in hermitian random matrices, can also be recovered from symplectic invariants.Comment: pdfLatex, 36 pages, 1 figure. v2: typos corrected, re-sectioning, a reference adde

Loop equations from differential systems

To any differential system $d\Psi=\Phi\Psi$ where $\Psi$ belongs to a Lie group (a fiber of a principal bundle) and $\Phi$ is a Lie algebra $\mathfrak g$ valued 1-form on a Riemann surface $\Sigma$, is associated an infinite sequence of "correlators" $W_n$ that are symmetric $n$-forms on $\Sigma^n$. The goal of this article is to prove that these correlators always satisfy "loop equations", the same equations satisfied by correlation functions in random matrix models, or the same equations as Virasoro or W-algebra constraints in CFT.Comment: 20 page

Reversible electrowetting and trapping of charge: model and experiments

We derive a model for voltage-induced wetting, so-called electrowetting, from the principle of virtual displacement. Our model includes the possibility that charge is trapped in or on the wetted surface. Experimentally, we show reversible electrowetting for an aqueous droplet on an insulating layer of 10 micrometer thickness. The insulator is coated with a highly fluorinated layer impregnated with oil, providing a contact-angle hysteresis lower than 2 degrees. Analyzing the data with our model, we find that until a threshold voltage of 240 V, the induced charge remains in the liquid and is not trapped. For potentials beyond the threshold, the wetting force and the contact angle saturate, in line with the occurrence of trapping of charge in or on the insulating layer. The data are independent of the polarity of the applied electric field, and of the ion type and molarity. We suggest possible microscopic origins for charge trapping.Comment: 13 pages & 5 figures; the paper has been accepted for publication in Langmui

The sine-law gap probability, Painlev\'e 5, and asymptotic expansion by the topological recursion

The goal of this article is to rederive the connection between the Painlev\'e $5$ integrable system and the universal eigenvalues correlation functions of double-scaled hermitian matrix models, through the topological recursion method. More specifically we prove, \textbf{to all orders}, that the WKB asymptotic expansions of the $\tau$-function as well as of determinantal formulas arising from the Painlev\'e $5$ Lax pair are identical to the large $N$ double scaling asymptotic expansions of the partition function and correlation functions of any hermitian matrix model around a regular point in the bulk. In other words, we rederive the "sine-law" universal bulk asymptotic of large random matrices and provide an alternative perturbative proof of universality in the bulk with only algebraic methods. Eventually we exhibit the first orders of the series expansion up to $O(N^{-5})$.Comment: 37 pages, 1 figure, published in Random Matrices: Theory and Application

Average characteristic polynomials in the two-matrix model

The two-matrix model is defined on pairs of Hermitian matrices $(M_1,M_2)$ of size $n\times n$ by the probability measure $$\frac{1}{Z_n} \exp\left(\textrm{Tr} (-V(M_1)-W(M_2)+\tau M_1M_2)\right)\ dM_1\ dM_2,$$ where $V$ and $W$ are given potential functions and \tau\in\er. We study averages of products and ratios of characteristic polynomials in the two-matrix model, where both matrices $M_1$ and $M_2$ may appear in a combined way in both numerator and denominator. We obtain determinantal expressions for such averages. The determinants are constructed from several building blocks: the biorthogonal polynomials $p_n(x)$ and $q_n(y)$ associated to the two-matrix model; certain transformed functions $\P_n(w)$ and \Q_n(v); and finally Cauchy-type transforms of the four Eynard-Mehta kernels $K_{1,1}$, $K_{1,2}$, $K_{2,1}$ and $K_{2,2}$. In this way we generalize known results for the $1$-matrix model. Our results also imply a new proof of the Eynard-Mehta theorem for correlation functions in the two-matrix model, and they lead to a generating function for averages of products of traces.Comment: 28 pages, references adde

WKB solutions of difference equations and reconstruction by the topological recursion

The purpose of this article is to analyze the connection between Eynard-Orantin topological recursion and formal WKB solutions of a $\hbar$-difference equation: $\Psi(x+\hbar)=\left(e^{\hbar\frac{d}{dx}}\right) \Psi(x)=L(x;\hbar)\Psi(x)$ with $L(x;\hbar)\in GL_2( (\mathbb{C}(x))[\hbar])$. In particular, we extend the notion of determinantal formulas and topological type property proposed for formal WKB solutions of $\hbar$-differential systems to this setting. We apply our results to a specific $\hbar$-difference system associated to the quantum curve of the Gromov-Witten invariants of $\mathbb{P}^1$ for which we are able to prove that the correlation functions are reconstructed from the Eynard-Orantin differentials computed from the topological recursion applied to the spectral curve $y=\cosh^{-1}\frac{x}{2}$. Finally, identifying the large $x$ expansion of the correlation functions, proves a recent conjecture made by B. Dubrovin and D. Yang regarding a new generating series for Gromov-Witten invariants of $\mathbb{P}^1$.Comment: 41 pages, 2 figures, published version in Nonlinearit