The smallest matrix of given period and primitive roots of unity (Q1183129)

A non-singular matrix \(A\) has period \(n\) if \(A^ n=I\) but \(A^ k\neq I\) for \(0<k<n\). The authors investigate the number \(r_ R(n)\), the smallest \(r\) for which there is an \(r\times r\) matrix with entries in the ring \(R\), with period \(n\). It is shown that \(r_ R(n)=r_ K(n)\), where \(K\) is the field of quotients of \(R\); \(r_ K(n)\) is then computed as a function of the common degree \(\theta_ k(j)\) of the irreducible factors of the cyclotomic polynomial leading to an investigation of roots of unity. The last section of the paper includes a very useful discussion, especially some related unsolved problems.