Complexity of random smooth functions on compact manifolds

Abstract

We relate the distribution of eigenvalues of a random symmetric matrix in the Gaussian Orthogonal Ensemble to the distribution of critical values of a random linear combination of eigenfunctions of the Laplacian on a compact Riemann manifold. We then prove a central limit theorem describing what happens when the dimension of the manifold is very large.

23 pages, LaTex, to appear Indiana U. Math. J