Singular value decomposition of adjoint

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The discussion revolves around proving the relationship between the adjoint of a linear transformation T and its singular value decomposition in a finite-dimensional complex inner product space. The transformation T is expressed using singular values and orthonormal bases, leading to the equation T*v = ∑ s_j ⟨v, f_j⟩ e_j. The initial calculations reveal that the speaker encounters a complex conjugate discrepancy with the singular values. Ultimately, the realization that singular values are real, as they are eigenvalues of a self-adjoint operator, resolves the issue, confirming the desired expression. This highlights the importance of understanding the properties of singular values in relation to adjoint operators.
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Homework Statement


Let T be a linear transformation over V, a finite-dimensional complex inner product space (with inner product < , >). Suppose T has the singular value decomposition
Tv = \sum_j^n s_j \left\langle v,e_j \right\rangle f_j
where s_1, ... s_n are the singular values of T and (e_1, ..., e_n) and (f_1, ..., f_n) are orthonormal bases of V.

I'm supposed to show that (* denotes adjoint)
T^*v = \sum_j^n s_j \left\langle v, f_j\right\rangle e_j.

The Attempt at a Solution


(I'll suppress the upper limit on the sums. Overline denotes complex conjugation.)
T^*v = \sum_j \left\langle T^*v, e_j \right\rangle e_j
Require <Te_i, v> = <e_i, T*v> for i = 1, ..., n.
Calculating these, I get:
<br /> \left\langle Te_i,v \right\rangle = \left\langle \sum_j s_j \left\langle e_i, e_j \right\rangle f_j, v \right\rangle = \sum_j s_j \left\langle e_i, e_j \right\rangle \left\langle f_j, v \right\rangle = \sum_j s_j \delta_{ij} \left\langle f_j, v \right\rangle = s_i \left\langle f_i, v \right\rangle <br />
And:
<br /> \left\langle e_i, T^*v \right\rangle = \left\langle e_i, \sum_j \left\langle T^*v, e_j \right\rangle e_j \right\rangle = \sum_j \overline{\left\langle T^*v, e_j \right\rangle} \left\langle e_i, e_j \right\rangle = \sum_j \overline{\left\langle T^*v, e_j \right\rangle} \delta_{ij} = \overline{\left\langle T^*v, e_i \right\rangle}.

Hence for i = 1, ..., n, I obtain:
<br /> \left\langle T^*v, e_i \right\rangle = \overline{s_i}\left\langle v, f_i \right\rangle <br />

This *almost* gives the desired expression, except for I'm off by the complex conjugate of the s_i's. Where did I go wrong?
 
Last edited:
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I figured it out while sleeping. The singular values of T are the eigenvalues of \sqrt{T^*T} which is a self-adjoint operator, and therefore has real eigenvalues. So s_i = \overline{s_i} for each i. The desired relation follows.
 
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