Solve a nonlinear matrix equation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the existence of multiple solutions to a nonlinear matrix equation involving matrix exponentials. Participants explore the mathematical implications and interpretations of the equation, as well as the context in which such equations might arise, particularly in relation to quantum mechanics and differential equations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks to determine if a second solution exists for the equation involving matrix exponentials, specifically looking for a method to find a solution less than an already known solution.
  • Several participants express confusion regarding the meaning of raising a scalar to the power of a matrix and discuss the concept of matrix exponentiation.
  • Some participants reference the matrix exponential and its applications, suggesting that it is a well-known concept, particularly in quantum mechanics.
  • There is mention of transforming matrices to diagonal form to facilitate calculations involving matrix exponentials.
  • One participant notes the lack of context provided by the original poster, questioning the convergence of the matrix exponential and its relevance to the problem.
  • Another participant provides a summary of the series expansion for the matrix exponential, illustrating how it relates to the identity matrix.
  • There is a discussion about the historical use of matrix exponentiation in quantum mechanics, with differing opinions on its prevalence in modern texts.
  • One participant asserts that the matrix exponential is routinely used in solving systems of linear differential equations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit a mix of agreement and disagreement regarding the interpretation of matrix exponentials and their applications. While some acknowledge the validity of matrix exponentiation, others express uncertainty about its meaning and relevance to the original problem. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the existence of a second solution to the nonlinear matrix equation.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the need for additional context to fully understand the implications of the matrix equation, including assumptions about convergence and the specific mathematical framework being employed.

rehan_eme
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TL;DR
Solve a nonlinear matrix equation
Hi all,

I want to know if a second solution exists for the following math equation:

Ce^{At} ρ_p+(CA)^{−1} (e^{At}−I)B=0

Where C, ρ_p, A and B are constant matrices, 't' is scalar variable. I know that atleast one solution i.e. 〖t=θ〗_1 exists, but I want a method to determine if there is another θ_0<θ_1 that is also a (second) solution. Any anlaytical way of determining that is what I am looking for.
 
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Latex please
 
Add my vote to the hope that LaTex might add some neaded clarity. What does a scalar to a power of a matrix even mean?
 
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DaveE said:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matrix_exponential

IRL you do it by transforming it to a diagonal form with eigenvalues so you don't have infinite sums.
Doesn't this show up in QM quite often? I remember seeing something to the effect of ##e^{\mathbf{X}}## before.
 
Mayhem said:
Doesn't this show up in QM quite often? I remember seeing something to the effect of ##e^{\mathbf{X}}## before.
The exponentiation comes into play whenever we want to solve a differential equation when we turn something linear into something curved, the transition from a Lie algebra to a Lie group. However, the OP didn't provide any such context, no differential equation, no vector field. It is not even clear whether ##e^{At}## converges. It looks like a flow, but it would have been nice to know for sure.
 
I have not seen it in QM, or for that matter, ever. Raising a scalar to the identity matrix returns what? (Apparently, a disgonal matrix with the scalar on the diagonal,,,guess it has to be something)
 
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Vanadium 50 said:
I have not seen it in QM, or for that matter, ever. Raising a scalar to the identity matrix returns what? (Apparently, a disgonal matrix with the scalar on the diagonal,,,guess it has to be something)
Here is what I think it should have been:

rehan_eme said:
TL;DR Summary: Solve a nonlinear matrix equation

Hi all,

I want to know if a second solution exists for the following math equation:

##Ce^{At} ρ_p + (CA)^{−1} (e^{At}−I) B=0## or ##C\exp(At) ρ_p + (CA)^{−1} (\exp(At) −I ) B=0##

Where ##C, ρ_p, A,## and ##B## are constant matrices, ##t## is a scalar variable. I know that at least one solution i.e. ##t=\theta_1## exists, but I want a method to determine if there is another ##\theta_0<\theta_1## that is also a (second) solution. Any analytical way of determining that is what I am looking for.
E.g. it could be that ##A\in \mathfrak{su}(2)## and ##e^{At}## is a flow in ##\operatorname{SU}(2).##
 
  • #11
Vanadium 50 said:
Raising a scalar to the identity matrix returns what? (Apparently, a disgonal matrix with the scalar on the diagonal,,,guess it has to be something)
This is something that appears in all but the most elementary linear algebra textbooks. As a Maclaurin expansion ##e^A = I + A + \frac {A^2}{2!} + \frac {A^3}{3!} + \dots + \frac {A^n}{n!} + \dots##.

##e^I = I + I + \frac {I^2}{2!} + \frac {I^3}{3!} + \dots + \frac {I^n}{n!} + \dots##
##= I(2 + 1/2 + 1/6 + 1/24 + \dots) = eI##
 
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  • #12
Vanadium 50 said:
I have not seen it in QM, or for that matter, ever.
That's surprising to me. Maybe I'm showing my age here, but back in the day, quantum mechanics textbooks often exponentiated the time-independent, Hermetian Hamiltonian ##H## (a differential operator or a matrix, depending on the representation) of a quantum system to define the unitary operator ##T## of time evolution (e.g., see the page from Merzbacher below). Maybe the QM texts you've studied no longer use that approach?

Merzbacher QM.jpg
 

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