Large N Phase Transitions and Multi-Critical Behaviour in Generalized 2D QCD

Abstract

Using matrix model techniques we investigate the large N limit of generalized 2D Yang-Mills theory. The model has a very rich phase structure. It exhibits multi-critical behavior and reveals a third order phase transitions at all genera besides {\it torus}. This is to be contrasted with ordinary 2D Yang-Mills which, at large N, exhibits phase transition only for spherical topology.