Trace Relations and Partition Functions

Abstract

In general trace relations appear in finite $N$ matrix models and collective field theories. They lead, as was established previously, to reductions of large $N$ Hilbert spaces. Even more importantly they induce the appearance of a whole class of new (miraculous) states whose number grows exponentially in $N^2$. In this work we discuss their relevance to finite $N$ thermodynamics and the role they play in constraining the partition functions of finite $N$ theories.