Stability switches in a class of characteristic equations with delay-dependent parameters (Q2572133)

For some classes of delay differential equations with delay-dependent parameters, the associated characteristic equation takes the form \[ D(\lambda,T):=P(\lambda,T)+Q(\lambda,T)e^{-\lambda T}+R(\lambda,T)e^{-2\lambda T}=0,\tag{*} \] where \(T\) is the delay, and \(P, Q, R\) are polynomials in \(\lambda\). If all roots \(\lambda_i\) of (*) have negative real parts, then the corresponding solution is locally asymptotically stable. The authors derive a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of purely imaginary roots and determine a formula for the direction of crossing the imaginary axis as a function of \(T\). Finally, they discuss the differences between characteristic equations with delay independent parameters and delay dependent parameters