Meanders: Exact Asymptotics

Abstract

We conjecture that meanders are governed by the gravitational version of a c=-4 two-dimensional conformal field theory, allowing for exact predictions for the meander configuration exponent α=\sqrt{29}(\sqrt{29}+\sqrt{5})/12, and the semi-meander exponent {\barα}=1+\sqrt{11}(\sqrt{29}+\sqrt{5})/24. This result follows from an interpretation of meanders as pairs of fully packed loops on a random surface, described by two c=-2 free fields. The above values agree with recent numerical estimates. We generalize these results to a score of meandric numbers with various geometries and arbitrary loop fugacities.