Random matrices, Virasoro algebras, and noncommutative KP

What is the connection of random matrices with integrable systems? Is this connection really useful? The answer to these questions leads to a new and unifying approach to the theory of random matrices. Introducing an appropriate time t-dependence in the probability distribution of the matrix ensemble, leads to vertex operator expressions for the n-point correlation functions (probabilities of n eigenvalues in infinitesimal intervals) and the corresponding Fredholm determinants (probabilities of no eigenvalue in a Borel subset E); the latter probability is a ratio of tau-functions for the KP-equation, whose numerator satisfy partial differential equations, which decouple into the sum of two parts: a Virasoro-like part depending on time only and a Vect(S^1)-part depending on the boundary points A_i of E. Upon setting t=0, and using the KP-hierarchy to eliminate t-derivatives, these PDE's lead to a hierarchy of non-linear PDE's, purely in terms of the A_i. These PDE's are nothing else but the KP hierarchy for which the t-partials, viewed as commuting operators, are replaced by non-commuting operators in the endpoints A_i of the E under consideration. When the boundary of E consists of one point and for the known kernels, one recovers the Painleve equations, found in prior work on the subject.Comment: 56 page

Clarke subgradients of stratifiable functions

We establish the following result: if the graph of a (nonsmooth) real-extended-valued function $f:\mathbb{R}^{n}\to \mathbb{R}\cup\{+\infty\}$ is closed and admits a Whitney stratification, then the norm of the gradient of $f$ at $x\in{dom}f$ relative to the stratum containing $x$ bounds from below all norms of Clarke subgradients of $f$ at $x$. As a consequence, we obtain some Morse-Sard type theorems as well as a nonsmooth Kurdyka-\L ojasiewicz inequality for functions definable in an arbitrary o-minimal structure

Mechanical properties of Pt monatomic chains

The mechanical properties of platinum monatomic chains were investigated by simultaneous measurement of an effective stiffness and the conductance using our newly developed mechanically controllable break junction (MCBJ) technique with a tuning fork as a force sensor. When stretching a monatomic contact (two-atom chain), the stiffness and conductance increases at the early stage of stretching and then decreases just before breaking, which is attributed to a transition of the chain configuration and bond weakening. A statistical analysis was made to investigate the mechanical properties of monatomic chains. The average stiffness shows minima at the peak positions of the length-histogram. From this result we conclude that the peaks in the length-histogram are a measure of the number of atoms in the chains, and that the chains break from a strained state. Additionally, we find that the smaller the initial stiffness of the chain is, the longer the chain becomes. This shows that softer chains can be stretched longer.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

Self-Consistent MHD Modeling of a Coronal Mass Ejection, Coronal Dimming, and a Giant Cusp-Shaped Arcade Formation

We performed magnetohydrodynamic simulation of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and associated giant arcade formations, and the results suggested new interpretations of observations of CMEs. We performed two cases of the simulation: with and without heat conduction. Comparing between the results of the two cases, we found that reconnection rate in the conductive case is a little higher than that in the adiabatic case and the temperature of the loop top is consistent with the theoretical value predicted by the Yokoyama-Shibata scaling law. The dynamical properties such as velocity and magnetic fields are similar in the two cases, whereas thermal properties such as temperature and density are very different.In both cases, slow shocks associated with magnetic reconnectionpropagate from the reconnection region along the magnetic field lines around the flux rope, and the shock fronts form spiral patterns. Just outside the slow shocks, the plasma density decreased a great deal. The soft X-ray images synthesized from the numerical results are compared with the soft X-ray images of a giant arcade observed with the Soft X-ray Telescope aboard {\it Yohkoh}, it is confirmed that the effect of heat conduction is significant for the detailed comparison between simulation and observation. The comparison between synthesized and observed soft X-ray images provides new interpretations of various features associated with CMEs and giant arcades.Comment: 39 pages, 18 figures. Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal. The PDF file with high resplution figures can be downloaded from http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~shiota/study/ApJ62426.preprint.pdf

Lectures on the Asymptotic Expansion of a Hermitian Matrix Integral

In these lectures three different methods of computing the asymptotic expansion of a Hermitian matrix integral is presented. The first one is a combinatorial method using Feynman diagrams. This leads us to the generating function of the reciprocal of the order of the automorphism group of a tiling of a Riemann surface. The second method is based on the classical analysis of orthogonal polynomials. A rigorous asymptotic method is established, and a special case of the matrix integral is computed in terms of the Riemann $\zeta$-function. The third method is derived from a formula for the $\tau$-function solution to the KP equations. This method leads us to a new class of solutions of the KP equations that are \emph{transcendental}, in the sense that they cannot be obtained by the celebrated Krichever construction and its generalizations based on algebraic geometry of vector bundles on Riemann surfaces. In each case a mathematically rigorous way of dealing with asymptotic series in an infinite number of variables is established

Pfaff tau-functions

Consider the evolution \frac{\pl m_\iy}{\pl t_n}=\Lb^n m_\iy, \frac{\pl m_\iy}{\pl s_n}=-m_\iy(\Lb^\top)^n, on bi- or semi-infinite matrices m_\iy=m_\iy(t,s), with skew-symmetric initial data m_{\iy}(0,0). Then, m_\iy(t,-t) is skew-symmetric, and so the determinants of the successive "upper-left corners" vanish or are squares of Pfaffians. In this paper, we investigate the rich nature of these Pfaffians, as functions of t. This problem is motivated by questions concerning the spectrum of symmetric and symplectic random matrix ensembles.Comment: 42 page

The effect of thermal annealing on the properties of Al-AlOx-Al single electron tunneling transistors

The effect of thermal annealing on the properties of Al-AlOx-Al single electron tunneling transistors is reported. After treatment of the devices by annealing processes in forming gas atmosphere at different temperatures and for different times, distinct and reproducible changes of their resistance and capacitance values were found. According to the temperature regime, we observed different behaviors as regards the resistance changes, namely the tendency to decrease the resistance by annealing at T = 200 degree C, but to increase the resistance by annealing at T = 400 degree C. We attribute this behavior to changes in the aluminum oxide barriers of the tunnel junctions. The good reproducibility of these effects with respect to the changes observed allows the proper annealing treatment to be used for post-process tuning of tunnel junction parameters. Also, the influence of the annealing treatment on the noise properties of the transistors at low frequency was investigated. In no case did the noise figures in the 1/f-regime show significant changes.Comment: 6 pages, 7 eps-figure

〔研究ノート〕Curriculum, Collaboration, and Coaching: A Multi-Faceted Approach to Study Abroad Preparation

The American College Readiness Track was created as part of an intensive English study abroad program in order to prepare female Japanese students for matriculation at universities that use English as the medium of instruction. This paper describes the specific goals of this academic track and the development of its curriculum using a backward design approach. The paper also explains the process used in selecting faculty to teach in the track, the professional development activities organized to prepare those faculty members for their assignments, and the ways in which the faculty collaborated to further develop and improve the track. In addition, the paper discusses the introduction of coaching into the American College Readiness Track. Coaching is defined, and its benefits are described. Cultural considerations, for example, the reinforcement of hierarchy inherent in the Japanese language and Japanese students' relative reticence in the classroom environment are also discussed in relation to their impact on the coaching process.departmental bulletin pape