Finite size corrections relating to distributions of the length of longest increasing subsequences

Abstract: Considered are the large $N$, or large intensity, forms of the distribution of the length of the longest increasing subsequences for various models. Earlier work has established that after centring and scaling, the limit laws for these distributions relate to certain distribution functions at the hard edge known from random matrix theory. By analysing the hard to soft edge transition, we supplement and extend results of Baik and Jenkins for the Hammersley model and symmetrisations, which give that the leading correction is proportional to $z^{-2/3}$, where $z^2$ is the intensity of the Poisson rate, and provides a functional form as derivates of the limit law. Our methods give the functional form both in terms of Fredholm operator theoretic quantities, and in terms of Painlev\'e transcendents. For random permutations and their symmetrisations, numerical analysis of exact enumerations and simulations gives compelling evidence that the leading corrections are proportional to $N^{-1/3}$, and moreover provides an approximation to their graphical forms.