Third-order tensors as linear operators on a space of matrices (Q5962278)

A recently proposed tensor-tensor multiplication [\textit{M. E. Kilmer, C. D. Martin}, and \textit{L. Perrone}, A third-order generalization of the matrix SVD as a product of third-order tensors. Tech. Rep. TR-2008-4, Tufts University, October (2008)] opens up new avenues to understanding the action of \(n\times n\times n\) tensors on the space of \(n\times n\) matrices. In particular it emphasizes the need to understand the space of objects upon which tensors act. The present paper defines a free module and shows that every linear transformation on that module can be represented by tensor multiplication. In addition, it presents a generalization of ideas of eigenvalue and eigenvector to the space of \(n\times n\times n\) tensors.