Asymptotics of the partition function of a random matrix model

Pavel Bleher, Alexander Its

Published 2004-09-30Version 1

We prove a number of results concerning the large $N$ asymptotics of the free energy of a random matrix model with a polynomial potential $V(z)$. Our approach is based on a deformation $\tau_tV(z)$ of $V(z)$ to $z^2$, $0\le t<\infty$ and on the use of the underlying integrable structures of the matrix model. The main results include (1) the existence of a full asymptotic expansion in powers of $N^{-2}$ of the recurrence coefficients of the related orthogonal polynomials, for a one-cut regular $V$; (2) the existence of a full asymptotic expansion in powers of $N^{-2}$ of the free energy, for a $V$, which admits a one-cut regular deformation $\tau_tV$; (3) the analyticity of the coefficients of the asymptotic expansions of the recurrence coefficients and the free energy, with respect to the coefficients of $V$; (4) the one-sided analyticity of the recurrent coefficients and the free energy for a one-cut singular $V$; (5) the double scaling asymptotics of the free energy for a singular quartic polynomial $V$.