Hermitian matrix polynomials with real eigenvalues of definite type. I: Classification (Q414675)

The spectral properties of Hermitian matrix polynomials with real eigenvalues have been extensively studied through classes such as the definite or definitizable pencils, definite, hyperbolic, or quasihyperbolic matrix polynomials, and overdamped or gyroscopically stabilized quadratics. The authors of this article give a unified treatment of these and related classes that uses the eigenvalue type (or sign characteristic) as a common thread. Equivalent conditions are given for each class in a consistent format. It is shown that these classes form a hierarchy, and are contained in the new class of quasidefinite matrix polynomials. Additionally to collecting and unifying existing results, the authors make several new contributions. The authors propose a new characterization of hyperbolicity in terms of the distribution of the eigenvalue types on the real line. By analyzing their effect on the eigenvalue type, they show that homogeneous rotations allow results for matrix polynomials with nonsingular or definite leading coefficient to be translated into results with no such requirement on the leading coefficient, which is important for treating definite and quasidefinite polynomials. A sufficient condition for a quasihyperbolic matrix polynomial to be diagonalizable by structure preserving congruence is also given, and it is shown that this condition is always satisfied in the quadratic case and for any hyperbolic matrix polynomial, thereby identifying an important new class of diagonalizable matrix polynomials.