Analytical treatments of the space–time fractional coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations

Under investigation in this work is a (\(2+1\))-dimensional the space–time fractional coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations, which describes the amplitudes of circularly-polarized waves in a nonlinear optical fiber. With the aid of conformable fractional derivative and the fractional wave transformation, we derive the analytical soliton solutions in the form of rational soliton, periodic soliton, hyperbolic soliton solutions by four integration method, namely, the extended trial equation method, the \(\exp (-\,\Omega (\eta ))\)-expansion method and the improved \(\tan (\phi (\eta )/2)\)-expansion method and semi-inverse variational principle method. Based on the the extended trial equation method, we derive the several types of solutions including singular, kink-singular, bright, solitary wave, compacton and elliptic function solutions. Under certain condition, the 1-soliton, bright, singular solutions are driven by semi-inverse variational principle method. Based on the analytical methods, we find that the solutions give birth to the dark solitons, the bright solitons, combine dark-singular, kink, kink-singular solutions with fractional order for nonlinear fractional partial differential equations arise in nonlinear optics.     

Strong decay of $$\Lambda _c(2940)$$ as a 2 P state in the $$\Lambda _c$$Λc family

Considering the mass, parity and \(D^0 p\) decay mode, we tentatively assign the \(\Lambda _c(2940)\) as the \(P-\)wave states with one radial excitation. Then, via studying the strong decay behavior of the \(\Lambda _c(2940)\) within the \(^3P_0\) model, we obtain that the total decay widths of the \(\Lambda _{c1}(\frac{1}{2}^-,2P)\) and \(\Lambda _{c1}(\frac{3}{2}^-,2P)\) states are 16.27 and 25.39 MeV, respectively. Compared with the experimental total width \(27.7^{+8.2}_{-6.0}\pm 0.9^{+5.2}_{-10.4}~\mathrm {MeV}\) measured by LHCb Collaboration, both assignments are allowed, and the \(J^P=\frac{3}{2}^-\) assignment is more favorable. Other \(\lambda \)-mode \(\Sigma _c(2P)\) states are also investigated, which are most likely to be narrow states and have good potential to be observed in future experiments.     

Toward $$\mathrm {U}(N|M)$$ knot invariant from ABJM theory

We study \(\mathrm {U}(N|M)\) character expectation value with the supermatrix Chern–Simons theory, known as the ABJM matrix model, with emphasis on its connection to the knot invariant. This average just gives the half-BPS circular Wilson loop expectation value in ABJM theory, which shall correspond to the unknot invariant. We derive the determinantal formula, which gives \(\mathrm {U}(N|M)\) character expectation values in terms of \(\mathrm {U}(1|1)\) averages for a particular type of character representations. This means that the \(\mathrm {U}(1|1)\) character expectation value is a building block for the \(\mathrm {U}(N|M)\) averages and also, by an appropriate limit, for the \(\mathrm {U}(N)\) invariants. In addition to the original model, we introduce another supermatrix model obtained through the symplectic transform, which is motivated by the torus knot Chern–Simons matrix model. We obtain the Rosso–Jones-type formula and the spectral curve for this case.     

Uncertainties of the $$B\rightarrow D$$B→ D transition form factor from the D-meson leading-twist distribution amplitude

The \(B\rightarrow D\) transition form factor (TFF) \(f^{B\rightarrow D}_+(q^2)\) is determined mainly by the D-meson leading-twist distribution amplitude (DA) , \(\phi _{2;D}\), if the proper chiral current correlation function is adopted within the light-cone QCD sum rules. It is therefore significant to make a comprehensive study of DA \(\phi _{2;D}\) and its impact on \(f^{B\rightarrow D}_+(q^2)\). In this paper, we calculate the moments of \(\phi _{2;D}\) with the QCD sum rules under the framework of the background field theory. New sum rules for the leading-twist DA moments \(\left\langle \xi ^n\right\rangle _D\) up to fourth order and up to dimension-six condensates are presented. At the scale \(\mu = 2 \,\mathrm{GeV}\), the values of the first four moments are: \(\left\langle \xi ^1\right\rangle _D = -0.418^{+0.021}_{-0.022}\), \(\left\langle \xi ^2\right\rangle _D = 0.289^{+0.023}_{-0.022}\), \(\left\langle \xi ^3\right\rangle _D = -0.178 \pm 0.010\) and \(\left\langle \xi ^4\right\rangle _D = 0.142^{+0.013}_{-0.012}\). Basing on the values of \(\left\langle \xi ^n\right\rangle _D(n=1,2,3,4)\), a better model of \(\phi _{2;D}\) is constructed. Applying this model for the TFF \(f^{B\rightarrow D}_+(q^2)\) under the light cone sum rules, we obtain \(f^{B\rightarrow D}_+(0) = 0.673^{+0.038}_{-0.041}\) and \(f^{B\rightarrow D}_+(q^2_{\mathrm{max}}) = 1.117^{+0.051}_{-0.054}\). The uncertainty of \(f^{B\rightarrow D}_+(q^2)\) from \(\phi _{2;D}\) is estimated and we find its impact should be taken into account, especially in low and central energy region. The branching ratio \(\mathcal {B}(B\rightarrow Dl\bar{\nu }_l)\) is calculated, which is consistent with experimental data.     

Phase Transition and Uniqueness of Levelset Percolation

The main purpose of this paper is to introduce and establish basic results of a natural extension of the classical Boolean percolation model (also known as the Gilbert disc model). We replace the balls of that model by a positive non-increasing attenuation function \(l:(0,\infty ) \rightarrow [0,\infty )\) to create the random field \(\Psi (y)=\sum _{x\in \eta }l(|x-y|),\) where \(\eta \) is a homogeneous Poisson process in \({\mathbb {R}}^d.\) The field \(\Psi \) is then a random potential field with infinite range dependencies whenever the support of the function l is unbounded. In particular, we study the level sets \(\Psi _{\ge h}(y)\) containing the points \(y\in {\mathbb {R}}^d\) such that \(\Psi (y)\ge h.\) In the case where l has unbounded support, we give, for any \(d\ge 2,\) a necessary and sufficient condition on l for \(\Psi _{\ge h}(y)\) to have a percolative phase transition as a function of h. We also prove that when l is continuous then so is \(\Psi \) almost surely. Moreover, in this case and for \(d=2,\) we prove uniqueness of the infinite component of \(\Psi _{\ge h}\) when such exists, and we also show that the so-called percolation function is continuous below the critical value \(h_c\).     

Inclusive prompt $$\chi _{c,b}(1^{++})$$ production at the LHC

We study the prompt production of the \(\chi _c(1^+)\) and \(\chi _b(1^+)\) mesons at high energies. Unlike \(\chi (0^+,2^+)\) production, \(\chi (1^+)\) mesons cannot be created at LO via the fusion of two on-mass-shell gluons, that is, \(gg\rightarrow \chi _{c,b}(1^+)\) are not allowed. However, the available experimental data show that the cross sections for \(\chi _c(1^+)\) and \(\chi _c(2^+)\) are comparable. We therefore investigate four other \(\chi (1^+)\) production mechanisms: namely, (i) the standard NLO process \(gg\rightarrow \chi _{c,b}(1^+)+g\), (ii) via gluon virtuality, (iii) via gluon reggeisation and, finally, (iv) the possibility to form \(\chi _{c,b}(1^+)\) by the fusion of three gluons, where one extra gluon comes from another parton cascade, as in the Double Parton Scattering processes.     

Further studies on the exclusive productions of $$J/\psi +\chi _{cJ}$$ ($$J=0,1,2$$J=0,1,2) via $$e^+e^-$$e+e- annihilation at the B factories

By including the interference effect between the QCD and the QED diagrams, we carry out a complete analysis on the exclusive productions of \(e^+e^- \rightarrow J/\psi +\chi _{cJ}\) (\(J=0,1,2\)) at the B factories with \(\sqrt{s}=10.6\) GeV at the next-to-leading-order (NLO) level in \(\alpha _s\), within the nonrelativistic QCD framework. It is found that the \({\mathcal {O}} (\alpha ^3\alpha _s)\)-order terms that represent the tree-level interference are comparable with the usual NLO QCD corrections, especially for the \(\chi _{c1}\) and \(\chi _{c2}\) cases. To explore the effect of the higher-order terms, namely \({\mathcal {O}} (\alpha ^3\alpha _s^2)\), we perform the QCD corrections to these \({\mathcal {O}} (\alpha ^3\alpha _s)\)-order terms for the first time, which are found to be able to significantly influence the \({\mathcal {O}} (\alpha ^3\alpha _s)\)-order results. In particular, in the case of \(\chi _{c1}\) and \(\chi _{c2}\), the newly calculated \({\mathcal {O}} (\alpha ^3\alpha _s^2)\)-order terms can to a large extent counteract the \({\mathcal {O}} (\alpha ^3\alpha _s)\) contributions, evidently indicating the indispensability of the corrections. In addition, we find that, as the collision energy rises, the percentage of the interference effect in the total cross section will increase rapidly, especially for the \(\chi _{c1}\) case.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">U</Emphasis>(2) and minimal flavour violation in supersymmetry

Rather than sticking to the full U(3)³ approximate symmetry normally invoked in Minimal Flavour Violation, we analyze the consequences on the current flavour data of a suitably broken U(2)³ symmetry acting on the first two generations of quarks and squarks. A definite correlation emerges between the ΔF=2 amplitudes \(\mathcal{M}( K^{0} \to \bar{K}^{0} )\), \(\mathcal{M}( B_{d} \to \bar{B}_{d} )\) and \(\mathcal{M}( B_{s} \to \bar{B}_{s} )\), which can resolve the current tension between \(\mathcal{M}( K^{0} \to \bar{K}^{0} )\) and \(\mathcal{M}( B_{d} \to \bar{B}_{d} )\), while predicting \(\mathcal{M}( B_{s}\to \bar{B}_{s} )\). In particular, the CP violating asymmetry in B _s →ψφ is predicted to be positive S _ψφ =0.12±0.05 and above its Standard Model value (S _ψφ =0.041±0.002). The preferred region for the gluino and the left-handed sbottom masses is below about 1÷1.5 TeV. An existence proof of a dynamical model realizing the U(2)³ picture is outlined.     

Anatomy of $B^{0}_{s,d} \to J/\psi f_{0}(980)$

The \(B^{0}_{s}\to J/\psi f_{0}(980)\) decay offers an interesting experimental alternative to the well-known \(B^{0}_{s}\to J/\psi \phi\) channel for the search of CP-violating New-Physics contributions to \(B^{0}_{s}\)–\(\bar{B}^{0}_{s}\) mixing. As the hadronic structure of the f ₀(980) has not yet been settled, we take a critical look at the implications for the relevant observables and address recent experimental data. It turns out that the effective lifetime of \(B^{0}_{s}\to J/\psi f_{0}(980)\) and its mixing-induced CP asymmetry S are quite robust with respect to hadronic effects and thereby allow us to search for a large CP-violating \(B^{0}_{s}\)–\(\bar{B}^{0}_{s}\) mixing phase ? _s , which is tiny in the Standard Model. However, should small CP violation, i.e. in the range ?0.1?S?0, be found in \(B^{0}_{s}\to J/\psi f_{0}(980)\), it will be crucial to constrain hadronic corrections in order to distinguish possible New-Physics effects from the Standard Model. We point out that \(B^{0}_{d}\to J/\psi f_{0}(980)\), which has not yet been measured, is a key channel in this respect and discuss the physics potential of this decay.     

Regularity of the Speed of Biased Random Walk in a One-Dimensional Percolation Model

We consider biased random walks on the infinite cluster of a conditional bond percolation model on the infinite ladder graph. Axelson-Fisk and Häggström established for this model a phase transition for the asymptotic linear speed \(\overline{\hbox {v}}\) of the walk. Namely, there exists some critical value \(\lambda _{\hbox {c}}>0\) such that \(\overline{\hbox {v}}>0\) if \(\lambda \in (0,\lambda _{\hbox {c}})\) and \(\overline{\hbox {v}}=0\) if \(\lambda \ge \lambda _{\hbox {c}}\). We show that the speed \(\overline{\hbox {v}}\) is continuous in \(\lambda \) on \((0,\infty )\) and differentiable on \((0,\lambda _{\hbox {c}}/2)\). Moreover, we characterize the derivative as a covariance. For the proof of the differentiability of \(\overline{\hbox {v}}\) on \((0,\lambda _{\hbox {c}}/2)\), we require and prove a central limit theorem for the biased random walk. Additionally, we prove that the central limit theorem fails to hold for \(\lambda \ge \lambda _{\hbox {c}}/2\).     

The strong decays of <Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis>(3940) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis>(4160)

The new mesons X(3940) and X(4160) have been found by Belle Collaboration in the processes \(e^+e^-\rightarrow J/\psi D^{(*)}{\bar{D}}^{(*)}\). Considering X(3940) and X(4160) as \(\eta _c(3S)\) and \(\eta _c(4S)\) states, the two-body open charm OZI-allowed strong decay of \(\eta _c(3S)\) and \(\eta _c(4S)\) are studied by the improved Bethe–Salpeter method combined with the \(^3P_0\) model. The strong decay width of \(\eta _c(3S)\) is \(\Gamma _{\eta _c(3S)}=(33.5^{+18.4}_{-15.3})\) MeV, which is close to the result of X(3940); therefore, \(\eta _c(3S)\) is a good candidate of X(3940). The strong decay width of \(\eta _c(4S)\) is \(\Gamma _{\eta _c(4S)}=(69.9^{+22.4}_{-21.1})\) MeV, considering the errors of the results, it is close to the lower limit of X(4160). But the ratio of the decay width \(\frac{\Gamma (D{\bar{D}}^*)}{\Gamma (D^*{\bar{D}}^*)}\) of \(\eta _c(4S)\) is larger than the experimental data of X(4160). According to the above analysis, \(\eta _c(4S)\) is not the candidate of X(4160), and more investigations of X(4160) is needed.     

Noncommutative products of Euclidean spaces

We present natural families of coordinate algebras on noncommutative products of Euclidean spaces \({\mathbb {R}}^{N_1} \times _{\mathcal {R}} {\mathbb {R}}^{N_2}\). These coordinate algebras are quadratic ones associated with an \(\mathcal {R}\)-matrix which is involutive and satisfies the Yang–Baxter equations. As a consequence, they enjoy a list of nice properties, being regular of finite global dimension. Notably, we have eight-dimensional noncommutative euclidean spaces \({\mathbb {R}}^{4} \times _{\mathcal {R}} {\mathbb {R}}^{4}\). Among these, particularly well behaved ones have deformation parameter \(\mathbf{u} \in {\mathbb {S}}^2\). Quotients include seven spheres \({\mathbb {S}}^{7}_\mathbf{u}\) as well as noncommutative quaternionic tori \({\mathbb {T}}^{{\mathbb {H}}}_\mathbf{u} = {\mathbb {S}}^3 \times _\mathbf{u} {\mathbb {S}}^3\). There is invariance for an action of \({{\mathrm{SU}}}(2) \times {{\mathrm{SU}}}(2)\) on the torus \({\mathbb {T}}^{{\mathbb {H}}}_\mathbf{u}\) in parallel with the action of \(\mathrm{U}(1) \times \mathrm{U}(1)\) on a ‘complex’ noncommutative torus \({\mathbb {T}}^2_\theta \) which allows one to construct quaternionic toric noncommutative manifolds. Additional classes of solutions are disjoint from the classical case.     

An embedding of the Bannai–Ito algebra in $$\mathscr {U}(\mathfrak {osp}(1,2))$$ and $$-1$$-1 polynomials

An embedding of the Bannai–Ito algebra in the universal enveloping algebra of \(\mathfrak {osp}(1,2)\) is provided. A connection with the characterization of the little \(-1\) Jacobi polynomials is found in the holomorphic realization of \(\mathfrak {osp}(1,2)\). An integral expression for the Bannai–Ito polynomials is derived as a corollary.     

Two Higgs doublet models and $$b\rightarrow s$$ exclusive decays

We computed the leading order Wilson coefficients relevant to all the exclusive \(b\rightarrow s\ell ^+\ell ^-\) decays in the framework of the two Higgs doublet model (2HDM) with a softly broken \(\mathbb {Z}_2\) symmetry by including the \(\mathcal {O}(m_b)\) corrections. We elucidate the issue of appropriate matching between the full and the effective theory when dealing with the (pseudo-)scalar operators for which keeping the external momenta different from zero is necessary. We then make a phenomenological analysis by using the measured \({\mathcal {B}}(B_s\rightarrow \mu ^+\mu ^-)\) and \({\mathcal {B}}(B\rightarrow K \mu ^+\mu ^-)_{\mathrm {high}-q^2}\), for which the hadronic uncertainties are well controlled, and we discuss their impact on various types of 2HDM. A brief discussion of the decays with \(\tau \)-leptons in the final state is provided too.     

Higher Spin Dirac Operators Between Spaces of Simplicial Monogenics in Two Vector Variables

The higher spin Dirac operator \(\mathcal{Q}_{k,l}\) acting on functions taking values in an irreducible representation space for \(\mathfrak{so}(m)\) with highest weight \((k+\frac{1}{2},l+\frac{1}{2},\frac{1}{2},\ldots,\frac{1}{2})\), with k, l?∈?\(\mathbb{N}\) and \(k\geqslant l\), is constructed. The structure of the kernel space containing homogeneous polynomial solutions is then also studied.     

Likelihood analysis of the sub-GUT MSSM in light of LHC 13-TeV data

We describe a likelihood analysis using MasterCode of variants of the MSSM in which the soft supersymmetry-breaking parameters are assumed to have universal values at some scale \(M_\mathrm{in}\) below the supersymmetric grand unification scale \(M_\mathrm{GUT}\), as can occur in mirage mediation and other models. In addition to \(M_\mathrm{in}\), such ‘sub-GUT’ models have the 4 parameters of the CMSSM, namely a common gaugino mass \(m_{1/2}\), a common soft supersymmetry-breaking scalar mass \(m_0\), a common trilinear mixing parameter A and the ratio of MSSM Higgs vevs \(\tan \beta \), assuming that the Higgs mixing parameter \(\mu > 0\). We take into account constraints on strongly- and electroweakly-interacting sparticles from \(\sim 36\)/fb of LHC data at 13 TeV and the LUX and 2017 PICO, XENON1T and PandaX-II searches for dark matter scattering, in addition to the previous LHC and dark matter constraints as well as full sets of flavour and electroweak constraints. We find a preference for \(M_\mathrm{in}\sim 10^5\) to \(10^9 \,\, \mathrm {GeV}\), with \(M_\mathrm{in}\sim M_\mathrm{GUT}\) disfavoured by \(\Delta \chi ^2 \sim 3\) due to the \(\mathrm{BR}(B_{s, d} \rightarrow \mu ^+\mu ^-)\) constraint. The lower limits on strongly-interacting sparticles are largely determined by LHC searches, and similar to those in the CMSSM. We find a preference for the LSP to be a Bino or Higgsino with \(m_{\tilde{\chi }^0_{1}} \sim 1 \,\, \mathrm {TeV}\), with annihilation via heavy Higgs bosons H / A and stop coannihilation, or chargino coannihilation, bringing the cold dark matter density into the cosmological range. We find that spin-independent dark matter scattering is likely to be within reach of the planned LUX-Zeplin and XENONnT experiments. We probe the impact of the \((g-2)_\mu \) constraint, finding similar results whether or not it is included.     

Holography of massive M2-brane theory: non-linear extension

We investigate the gauge/gravity duality between the \(\mathcal{N} = 6\) mass-deformed ABJM theory with \(\hbox {U}_k(N)\times \hbox {U}_{-k}(N)\) gauge symmetry and the 11-dimensional supergravity on LLM geometries with SO(2,1)\(\times \)SO(4)/\({\mathbb {Z}}_k\) \(\times \)SO(4)/\({\mathbb {Z}}_k\) isometry, in terms of a KK holography, which involves quadratic order field redefinitions. We establish the quadratic order KK mappings for various gauge invariant fields in order to obtain the canonical 4-dimensional gravity equations of motion and to reduce the LLM solutions to an asymptotically AdS\(_4\) gravity solutions. The non-linearity of the KK maps indicates that we can observe the true purpose of the non-linear KK holography of the LLM solutions. We read the vacuum expectation value of conformal dimension two operator from the asymptotically AdS\(_4\) gravity solutions. For the LLM solutions which are represented by square-shaped Young diagrams, we compare the vacuum expectation value obtained from the holographic procedure with the result obtained from the field theory, which is given by \(\langle \mathcal{O}^{(\Delta =2)}\rangle =\sqrt{k}N^{\frac{3}{2}}f_{(\Delta =2)}+\mathcal{O}(N)\), where \(f_{\Delta }\) is independent of N. Based on this result, we examine the gauge/gravity duality in the large N limit and finite k. We also show that the vacuum expectation values of the massive KK graviton modes are vanishing as expected by the supersymmetry.     

Coupled channels dynamics in the generation of the $$\Omega (2012)$$ resonance

We look into the newly observed \(\Omega (2012)\) state from the molecular perspective in which the resonance is generated from the \(\bar{K} \Xi ^*\), \(\eta \Omega \) and \(\bar{K} \Xi \) channels. We find that this picture provides a natural explanation of the properties of the \(\Omega (2012)\) state. We stress that the molecular nature of the resonance is revealed with a large coupling of the \(\Omega (2012)\) to the \(\bar{K} \Xi ^*\) channel, that can be observed in the \(\Omega (2012) \rightarrow \bar{K} \pi \Xi \) decay which is incorporated automatically in our chiral unitary approach via the use of the spectral function of \(\Xi ^*\) in the evaluation of the \(\bar{K} \Xi ^*\) loop function.     

Self-adjoint extensions for the Dirac operator with Coulomb-type spherically symmetric potentials

We describe the self-adjoint realizations of the operator \(H:=-i\alpha \cdot \nabla + m\beta + \mathbb {V}(x)\), for \(m\in \mathbb {R}\), and \(\mathbb {V}(x)= {|}x{|}^{-1} ( \nu \mathbb {I}_4 +\mu \beta -i \lambda \alpha \cdot {x}/{{|}x{|}}\,\beta )\), for \(\nu ,\mu ,\lambda \in \mathbb {R}\). We characterize the self-adjointness in terms of the behavior of the functions of the domain in the origin, exploiting Hardy-type estimates and trace lemmas. Finally, we describe the distinguished extension.     

Heuristic Relative Entropy Principles with Complex Measures: Large-Degree Asymptotics of a Family of Multi-variate Normal Random Polynomials

Let \(z\in \mathbb {C}\), let \(\sigma ^2>0\) be a variance, and for \(N\in \mathbb {N}\) define the integrals

$$\begin{aligned} E_N^{}(z;\sigma ) := \left\{ \begin{array}{ll} {\frac{1}{\sigma }} \!\!\!\displaystyle \int _{\mathbb {R}}\! (x^2+z^2) \frac{e^{-\frac{1}{2\sigma ^2} x^2}}{\sqrt{2\pi }}dx&{}\quad \text{ if }\, N=1,\\ {\frac{1}{\sigma }} \!\!\!\displaystyle \int _{\mathbb {R}^N}\! \prod \prod \limits _{1\le k<l\le N}\!\! e^{-\frac{1}{2N}(1-\sigma ^{-2}) (x_k-x_l)^2} \prod _{1\le n\le N}\!\!\!\!(x_n^2+z^2) \frac{e^{-\frac{1}{2\sigma ^2} x_n^2}}{\sqrt{2\pi }}dx_n &{}\quad \text{ if }\, N>1. \end{array}\right. \!\!\! \end{aligned}$$

These are expected values of the polynomials \(P_N^{}(z)=\prod _{1\le n\le N}(X_n^2+z^2)\) whose 2N zeros \(\{\pm i X_k\}^{}_{k=1,\ldots ,N}\) are generated by N identically distributed multi-variate mean-zero normal random variables \(\{X_k\}^{N}_{k=1}\) with co-variance \(\mathrm{{Cov}}_N^{}(X_k,X_l)=(1+\frac{\sigma ^2-1}{N})\delta _{k,l}+\frac{\sigma ^2-1}{N}(1-\delta _{k,l})\). The \(E_N^{}(z;\sigma )\) are polynomials in \(z^2\), explicitly computable for arbitrary N, yet a list of the first three \(E_N^{}(z;\sigma )\) shows that the expressions become unwieldy already for moderate N—unless \(\sigma = 1\), in which case \(E_N^{}(z;1) = (1+z^2)^N\) for all \(z\in \mathbb {C}\) and \(N\in \mathbb {N}\). (Incidentally, commonly available computer algebra evaluates the integrals \(E_N^{}(z;\sigma )\) only for N up to a dozen, due to memory constraints). Asymptotic evaluations are needed for the large-N regime. For general complex z these have traditionally been limited to analytic expansion techniques; several rigorous results are proved for complex z near 0. Yet if \(z\in \mathbb {R}\) one can also compute this “infinite-degree” limit with the help of the familiar relative entropy principle for probability measures; a rigorous proof of this fact is supplied. Computer algebra-generated evidence is presented in support of a conjecture that a generalization of the relative entropy principle to signed or complex measures governs the \(N\rightarrow \infty \) asymptotics of the regime \(iz\in \mathbb {R}\). Potential generalizations, in particular to point vortex ensembles and the prescribed Gauss curvature problem, and to random matrix ensembles, are emphasized.