Isospectral vibrating systems. I: The spectral method (Q2568983)

The vibrating systems of the form \(L(\lambda)=M \lambda^{2} + D \lambda + K\) with \(n \times n\) matrices \(M\), \(D\) and \(K\) are analyzed from the point of view of inverse spectral problems. A fundamental theorem ensuring the existence and uniqueness of systems with suitable spectral data is established. Systems with given spectral characteristics defined by a Jordan matrix, a matrix of eigenvectors and for Hermitian systems by a sign characteristic with real eigenvalues are constructed. Constructive methods are given for general coefficient matrices \(M\), \(D\) and \(K\) of four types: general complex matrices, general real matrices, Hermitian matrices and real symmetric matrices. For complex and real matrices, if no symmetry properties are required, the problem has a relatively easy solution summarized in three-step procedures. If symmetries are imposed some computational procedures are described for Hermitian systems and illustrated with examples. Constructions for real symmetric systems are more complicated and remain in some cases still an open problem.