Accuracy and range of validity of the Wigner surmise for mixed symmetry classes in random matrix theory

Schierenberg et al. [Phys. Rev. E 85, 061130 (2012)] recently applied the Wigner surmise, i.e., substitution of \infty \times \infty matrices by their 2 \times 2 counterparts for the computation of level spacing distributions, to random matrix ensembles in transition between two universality classes. I examine the accuracy and the range of validity of the surmise for the crossover between the Gaussian orthogonal and unitary ensembles by contrasting them with the large-N results that I evaluated using the Nystrom-type method for the Fredholm determinant. The surmised expression at the best-fitting parameter provides a good approximation for 0 \lesssim s \lesssim 2, i.e., the validity range of the original surmise.Comment: 3 pages in REVTeX, 10 figures. (v2) Title changed, version to appear in Phys. Rev.

Tracy-Widom distribution as instanton sum of 2D IIA superstrings

We present an analytic expression of the nonperturbative free energy of a double-well supersymmetric matrix model in its double scaling limit, which corresponds to two-dimensional type IIA superstring theory on a nontrivial Ramond-Ramond background. To this end we draw upon the wisdom of random matrix theory developed by Tracy and Widom, which expresses the largest eigenvalue distribution of unitary ensembles in terms of a Painleve II transcendent. Regularity of the result at any value of the string coupling constant shows that the third-order phase transition between a supersymmetry-preserving phase and a supersymmetry-broken phase, previously found at the planar level, becomes a smooth crossover in the double scaling limit. Accordingly, the supersymmetry is always broken spontaneously as its order parameter stays nonzero for the whole region of the coupling constant. Coincidence of the result with the unitary one-matrix model suggests that one-dimensional type 0 string theories partially correspond to the type IIA superstring theory. Our formulation naturally allows for introduction of an instanton chemical potential, and reveals the presence of a novel phase transition, possibly interpreted as condensation of instantons.Comment: 25 pages, 4 figures. v2: new subsection 4.3 and references added. version to be published in JHE

Comment on Dirac spectral sum rules for QCD_3

Recently Magnea hep-th/9907096 , hep-th/9912207 [Phys.Rev.D61, 056005 (2000); Phys.Rev.D62, 016005 (2000)] claimed to have computed the first sum rules for Dirac operators in 3D gauge theories from 0D non-linear sigma models. I point out that these computations are incorrect, and that they contradict with the exact results for the spectral densities unambiguously derived from random matrix theory by Nagao and myself.Comment: REVTeX 3.1, 2 pages, no figure. (v2) redundant part removed, conclusion unchange

Renormalization group approach to multiple-arc random matrix models

We study critical and universal behaviors of unitary invariant non-gaussian random matrix ensembles within the framework of the large-N renormalization group. For a simple double-well model we find an unstable fixed point and a stable inverse-gaussian fixed point. The former is identified as the critical point of single/double-arc phase transition with a discontinuity of the third derivative of the free energy. The latter signifies a novel universality of large-N correlators other than the usual single arc type. This phase structure is consistent with the universality classification of two-level correlators for multiple-arc models by Ambjorn and Akemann. We also establish the stability of the gaussian fixed point in the multi-coupling model.Comment: 11 pages, 1 figure, LaTeX + a4.sty, epsf.st