Low-lying zeros of quadratic Dirichlet $L$-functions: A transition in the Ratios Conjecture

Abstract

We study the $1$-level density of low-lying zeros of quadratic Dirichlet $L$-functions by applying the $L$-functions Ratios Conjecture. We observe a transition in the main term as was predicted by the Katz-Sarnak heuristic as well as in the lower order terms when the support of the Fourier transform of the corresponding test function reaches the point $1$. Our results are consistent with those obtained in previous work under GRH and are furthermore analogous to results of Rudnick in the function field case.