Multiple Meixner–Pollaczek polynomials and the six-vertex model

We study multiple orthogonal polynomials of Meixner–Pollaczek type with respect to a symmetric system of two orthogonality measures. Our main result is that the limiting distribution of the zeros of these polynomials is one component of the solution to a constrained vector equilibrium problem. We also provide a Rodrigues formula and closed expressions for the recurrence coefficients. The proof of the main result follows from a connection with the eigenvalues of (locally) block Toeplitz matrices, for which we provide some general results of independent interest.The motivation for this paper is the study of a model in statistical mechanics, the so-called six-vertex model with domain wall boundary conditions, in a particular regime known as the free fermion line. We show how the multiple Meixner–Pollaczek polynomials arise in an inhomogeneous version of this model.