The large-\(N\) limit of the Segal-Bargmann transform on \(\mathbb U_N\) (Q2440963)

The authors study the two-parameter Segal-Bargmann transform \(\mathbf{B}^N_{s,t}\) on the unitary group \({\mathbb U}_N\) for large values of \(N.\) Acting on matrix-valued functions that are equivariant under the adjoint action of the group, the transform has a meaningful limit \({\mathcal G}_{s,t}\) which can be identified as an operator on the space of complex Laurent polynomials. The authors introduce the space of trace polynomials, and use it to give effective computational methods to determine the action of the heat operator, and thus the Segal-Bargmann transform. Several concentration of measure and limit theorems are proved, giving a direct connection from the finite-dimensional transform \(\mathbf{B}^N_{s,t}\) to its limit \({\mathcal G}_{s,t}.\) Moreover, the operator \({\mathcal G}_{s,t}\) is characterized through its inverse action on the standard polynomial basis and it is shown that, in the case \(s=t\), the limit transform \({\mathcal G}_{t,t}\) is the ``free Hall transform'' \({\mathcal G}^{t}\) introduced by \textit{P. Biane} [J. Funct. Anal. 144, No. 1, 232--286, Art. No. FU962990 (1997; Zbl 0889.47013)].