This is an introductory book on Non-Commutative Probability or Free Probability and Large Dimensional Random Matrices. Basic concepts of free probability are introduced by analogy with classical probability in a lucid and quick manner. It then develops the results on the convergence of large dimensional random matrices, with a special focus on the interesting connections to free probability. The book assumes almost no prerequisite for the most part. However, familiarity with the basic convergence concepts in probability and a bit of mathematical maturity will be helpful. Combinatorial properties of non-crossing partitions, including the Möbius function play a central role in introducing free probability. Free independence is defined via free cumulants in analogy with the way classical independence can be defined via classical cumulants. Free cumulants are introduced through the Möbius function. Free product probability spaces are constructed using free cumulants. Marginal and joint tracial convergence of large dimensional random matrices such as the Wigner, elliptic, sample covariance, cross-covariance, Toeplitz, Circulant and Hankel are discussed. Convergence of the empirical spectral distribution is discussed for symmetric matrices. Asymptotic freeness results for random matrices, including some recent ones, are discussed in detail. These clarify the structure of the limits for joint convergence of random matrices. Asymptotic freeness of independent sample covariance matrices is also demonstrated via embedding into Wigner matrices. Exercises, at advanced undergraduate and graduate level, are provided in each chapter.

This volume opens the world of free probability to a wide variety of readers. From its roots in the theory of operator algebras, free probability has intertwined with non-crossing partitions, random matrices, applications in wireless communications, representation theory of large groups, quantum groups, the invariant subspace problem, large deviations, subfactors, and beyond. This book puts a special emphasis on the relation of free probability to random matrices, but also touches upon the operator algebraic, combinatorial, and analytic aspects of the theory. The book serves as a combination textbook/research monograph, with self-contained chapters, exercises scattered throughout the text, and coverage of important ongoing progress of the theory. It will appeal to graduate students and all mathematicians interested in random matrices and free probability from the point of view of operator algebras, combinatorics, analytic functions, or applications in engineering and statistical physics.

Random matrix theory has many roots and many branches in mathematics, statistics, physics, computer science, data science, numerical analysis, biology, ecology, engineering, and operations research. This book provides a snippet of this vast domain of study, with a particular focus on the notations of universality and integrability. Universality shows that many systems behave the same way in their large scale limit, while integrability provides a route to describe the nature of those universal limits. Many of the ten contributed chapters address these themes, while others touch on applications of tools and results from random matrix theory. This book is appropriate for graduate students and researchers interested in learning techniques and results in random matrix theory from different perspectives and viewpoints. It also captures a moment in the evolution of the theory, when the previous decade brought major break-throughs, prompting exciting new directions of research.

Voiculescu's notion of asymptotic free independence is known for a large class of random matrices including independent unitary invariant matrices. This notion is extended for independent random matrices invariant in law by conjugation by permutation matrices. This fact leads naturally to an extension of free probability, formalized under the notions of traffic probability. The author first establishes this construction for random matrices and then defines the traffic distribution of random matrices, which is richer than the $^*$-distribution of free probability. The knowledge of the individual traffic distributions of independent permutation invariant families of matrices is sufficient to compute the limiting distribution of the join family. Under a factorization assumption, the author calls traffic independence the asymptotic rule that plays the role of independence with respect to traffic distributions. Wigner matrices, Haar unitary matrices and uniform permutation matrices converge in traffic distributions, a fact which yields new results on the limiting $^*$-distributions of several matrices the author can construct from them. Then the author defines the abstract traffic spaces as non commutative probability spaces with more structure. She proves that at an algebraic level, traffic independence in some sense unifies the three canonical notions of tensor, free and Boolean independence. A central limiting theorem is stated in this context, interpolating between the tensor, free and Boolean central limit theorems.

Blending theoretical results with practical applications, this book provides an introduction to random matrix theory and shows how it can be used to tackle a variety of problems in wireless communications. The Stieltjes transform method, free probability theory, combinatoric approaches, deterministic equivalents and spectral analysis methods for statistical inference are all covered from a unique engineering perspective. Detailed mathematical derivations are presented throughout, with thorough explanation of the key results and all fundamental lemmas required for the reader to derive similar calculus on their own. These core theoretical concepts are then applied to a wide range of real-world problems in signal processing and wireless communications, including performance analysis of CDMA, MIMO and multi-cell networks, as well as signal detection and estimation in cognitive radio networks. The rigorous yet intuitive style helps demonstrate to students and researchers alike how to choose the correct approach for obtaining mathematically accurate results.

The field of random matrix theory has seen an explosion of activity in recent years, with connections to many areas of mathematics and physics. However, this makes the current state of the field almost too large to survey in a single book. In this graduate text, we focus on one specific sector of the field, namely the spectral distribution of random Wigner matrix ensembles (such as the Gaussian Unitary Ensemble), as well as iid matrix ensembles. The text is largely self-contained and starts with a review of relevant aspects of probability theory and linear algebra. With over 200 exercises, the book is suitable as an introductory text for beginning graduate students seeking to enter the field.

The International Congress on Mathematical Physics is the flagship conference in this exciting field. Convening every three years, it gives a survey on the progress achieved in all branches of mathematical physics. It also provides a superb platform to discuss challenges and new ideas. The present volume collects material from the XVIth ICMP which was held in Prague, August 2009, and features most of the plenary lectures and invited lectures in topical sessions as well as information on other parts of the congress program. This volume provides a broad coverage of the field of mathematical physics, from dominantly mathematical subjects to particle physics, condensed matter, and application of mathematical physics methods in various areas such as astrophysics and ecology, amongst others.