Pair correlations of logarithms of integers

Abstract

We study the correlations of pairs of logarithms of positive integers at various scalings, either with trivial weigths or with weights given by the Euler function, proving the existence of pair correlation functions. We prove that at the linear scaling, the pair correlations exhibit level repulsion, as it sometimes occurs in statistical physics. We prove total loss of mass phenomena at superlinear scalings, and Poissonian behaviour at sublinear scalings. The case of Euler weights has applications to the pair correlation of the lengths of common perpendicular geodesic arcs from the maximal Margulis cusp neighborhood to itself in the modular curve $\operatorname{PSL}_2(\mathbb Z)\backslash\mathbb H^2_{\mathbb R}$.