Vertex Models on Feynman Diagrams

Abstract

The statistical mechanics of spin models, such as the Ising or Potts models, on generic random graphs can be formulated economically by considering the N --> 1 limit of Hermitian matrix models. In this paper we consider the N --> 1 limit in complex matrix models, which describes vertex models of different sorts living on random graphs. From the graph theoretic perspective one is using matrix model and field theory inspired methods to count various classes of directed graphs. We also make some remarks on vertex models on planar random graphs (the N --> infinity limit) where the resulting matrix models are not generally soluble using currently known methods. Nonetheless, some particular cases may be mapped onto known models and hence solved.