Riemann zeros and random matrix theory (Q627057)

This is a survey article on the interaction between zeta functions and random matrix theory. Their connection originates from \textit{H. L. Montgomery}'s pair-correlation conjecture [in: Analytic Number Theory, Proc. Sympos. Pure Math. 24, 181--193 (1973; Zbl 0268.10023)], from which the story starts. It is a conjecture on the spacing distribution of nontrivial zeros of the Riemann zeta function. Montgomery actually discovered its analogy for pairs of eigenvalues of a random unitary matrix. Later the article deals with a more recent topic which were developed by the author together with her colleagues. The basic philosophy is that if the zeros of zeta functions are like eigenvalues of random matrices, then the zeta functions should be like characteristic polynomials of random matrices. By observing this analogy, the author established a formula on the coefficient appearing in the moments of the Riemann zeta function in a joint work with \textit{J. P. Keating} [Commun. Math. Phys. 214, No. 1, 57--89 (2000; Zbl 1051.11048)]. This is a nice introduction to modern theory of zeta functions, and should be recommended to anyone who wants to overview the modern developments of zeta functions.