Cap amplitudes in random matrix models

Abstract: For general one-matrix models in the large $N$ limit, we introduce the cap amplitude $\psi(b)$ as the expansion coefficient of the 1-form $ydx$ on the spectral curve. We find that the dilaton equation for the discrete volume $N_{g,n}$ of the moduli space of genus-$g$ Riemann surfaces with $n$ boundaries is interpreted as gluing the cap amplitude along one of the boundaries. In this process, one of the boundaries is capped and the number of boundaries decreases by one. In a similar manner, the genus-$g$ free energy $F_g$ is obtained by gluing the cap amplitude to $N_{g,1}$.