Random Matrix Theory of the Energy-Level Statistics of Disordered Systems at the Anderson Transition

Abstract

We consider a family of random matrix ensembles (RME) invariant under similarity transformations and described by the probability density $P({\bf H})= \exp[-{\rm Tr}V({\bf H})]$. Dyson's mean field theory (MFT) of the corresponding plasma model of eigenvalues is generalized to the case of weak confining potential, $V(ε)\sim {A\over 2}\ln ^2(ε)$. The eigenvalue statistics derived from MFT are shown to deviate substantially from the classical Wigner-Dyson statistics when $A<1$. By performing systematic Monte Carlo simulations on the plasma model, we compute all the relevant statistical properties of the RME with weak confinement. For $A_c\approx 0.4$ the distribution function of the energy-level spacings (LSDF) of this RME coincides in a large energy window with the LSDF of the three dimensional Anderson model at the metal-insulator transition. For the same $A_c$, the variance of the number of levels, $\langle n^2\rangle -\langle n\rangle^2$, in an interval containing $\langle n\rangle$ levels on average, grows linearly with $\langle n\rangle$, and its slope is equal to $0.32 \pm 0.02$, which is consistent with the value found for the Anderson model at the critical point.