Oscillation theorems of the second-order linear matrix differential system with damping (Q2577860)

The author studies the second order matrix differential system \[ (P(t)Y'(t))'+r(t)P(t)Y'(t)+Q(t)Y(t)=0, \eqno{(E)} \] where \(r(t)\in C([t_0,\infty),R)\), \(Y(t)\), \(P(t)\) and \(Q(t)\) are \(n\times n\) real continuous matrix functions, \(P(t)\) is symmetric and positive definite and \(Q(t)\) is symmetric. The author studies nontrivial prepared solutions using Riccati technique and the technique of weighted integral averages introduced by \textit{Ch. G. Philos} [Arch Math. 53, 482--492 (1989; Zbl 0661.34030)] and extends several well-known criteria proved originally for scalar differential equation to equation \((E)\). The criteria are given in terms of integrals of the coefficients of the equation and its eigenvalues or traces. The oscillation criteria covers both ``classical'' oscillation criteria and interval oscillation criteria.