Maximal number of distinct \(H\)-eigenpairs for a two-dimensional real tensor (Q1945577)

Based on the generalized characteristic polynomial introduced by \textit{J. Canny} [J. Symb. Comput. 9, No. 3, 241--250 (1990; Zbl 0704.12004)], it follows that for any \(m\)-order \(n\)-dimensional real tensor, the number of distinct \(H\)-eigenvalues is less than or equal to \(n(m-1)^{n-1}\). However, there are no known bounds on the maximal number of distinct \(H\)-eigenvectors in general. The authors prove that for any \(m\geqslant 2\), an \(m\)-order 2-dimensional tensor \(A\) exists such that \(A\) has \(2(m-1\)) distinct \(H\)-eigenpairs. They give examples of 4-order 2-dimensional tensors with six distinct \(H\)-eigenvalues as well as six distinct \(H\)-eigenvectors. They also demonstrate the structure of eigenpairs for a higher order tensor is far more complicated than that of a matrix. Furthermore, they introduce a new class of weakly symmetric tensors, called \(p\)-symmetric tensors, and show that under certain conditions, \(p\)-symmetry will effectively reduce the maximal number of distinct \(H\)-eigenvectors for a given two-dimensional tensor. Lastly, they provide a complete classification of the \(H\)-eigenvectors of a given 4-order 2-dimensional nonnegative \(p\)-symmetric tensor. Additionally, they give sufficient conditions which prevent a given 4-order 2-dimensional nonnegative irreducible weakly symmetric tensor from possessing six pairwise distinct \(H\)-eigenvectors.