No label defined (Q4263547)

This survey is devoted to integrability properties of the generalized Kontsevich model which is a universal matrix model describing the conformal field theories with \(c<1\). In the case of a monomial potential the partition function is proved to be a tau function of the \(p\)-reduced KP hierarchy satisfying the \(L_{-p}\) Virasoro constraint. It is shown that deformations of the monomial phase to a polynomial phase have a natural interpretation in the context of so-called equivalent hierarchies. The dynamical transition between equivalent integrable systems occurs along the flows of the dispersionless KP hierarchy, and the coefficients of the potential are shown to be directly related with the flat (quasiclassical \(\sim\) Whitham) times arising in the \(N=2\) Landau-Ginzburg topological model. It is proved that the partition function of a generic generalized Kontsevich model can be presented as a product of a quasiclassical factor and a nondeformed partition function that depends only on the sum of transformed integrable flows and flat times. The rich structure of the model involves almost all aspects of classical integrability and the essential details of the fermionic approach to the KP hierarchy, as well as the notions of equivalent integrable systems and their quasiclassical analogues, are collected together in parallel with a step-by-step investigation of the universal matrix model under consideration. Let us add that the paper is very interesting and worth reading in detail. For the entire collection see [Zbl 0914.00023].