U(1) staggered Dirac operator and random matrix theory

We investigate the spectrum of the staggered Dirac operator in 4d quenched U(1) lattice gauge theory and its relationship to random matrix theory. In the confined as well as in the Coulomb phase the nearest-neighbor spacing d istribution of the unfolded eigenvalues is well described by the chiral uni tary ensemble. The same is true for the distribution of the smallest eigenv alue and the microscopic spectral density in the confined phase. The physic al origin of the chiral condensate in this phase deserves further study.