Matrix Models for Beta Ensembles

Abstract

This paper constructs tridiagonal random matrix models for general ($\beta>0$) $\beta$-Hermite (Gaussian) and $\beta$-Laguerre (Wishart) ensembles. These generalize the well-known Gaussian and Wishart models for $\beta = 1,2,4$. Furthermore, in the cases of the $\beta$-Laguerre ensembles, we eliminate the exponent quantization present in the previously known models. We further discuss applications for the new matrix models, and present some open problems.