I What are the Eigenvalues of the Hermitian Inverse \(H^{-1}\)?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ergospherical
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Hermitian Inverse
Click For Summary
The discussion centers on the eigenvalues of the Hermitian inverse \(H^{-1}\) of a negative eigenvalue Hermitian matrix \(H\). The integral \(G = \int_{0}^{\infty} e^{tH} dt\) is shown to equal \(H^{-1}\), leading to the conclusion that \(G\mathbf{e}_i = -\frac{1}{\lambda_i} \mathbf{e}_i\). This raises the question of whether \(H^{-1}\) should have eigenvalues of \(1/\lambda_i\), given that \(H\mathbf{e}_i = \lambda_i \mathbf{e}_i\). The analysis confirms that \(G = -H^{-1}\), which resolves the apparent contradiction. The discussion highlights the nuances of eigenvalue relationships in Hermitian matrices.
ergospherical
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
Education Advisor
Insights Author
Messages
1,100
Reaction score
1,387
##H## is an ##n\times n## Hermitian matrix with eigenvectors ##\mathbf{e}_i## and all eigenvalues negative. It's claimed that ##G = \int_{0}^{\infty} e^{tH} dt## is such that ##G = H^{-1}##. I was looking at\begin{align*}
G\mathbf{e}_i &= \int_0^{\infty} \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{t^n}{n!} H^n \mathbf{e}_i dt = \mathbf{e}_i\int_0^{\infty} \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{t^n \lambda_i^n}{n!} dt = \mathbf{e}_i \int_0^{\infty} e^{\lambda_i t} dt = - \frac{1}{\lambda_i} \mathbf{e}_i
\end{align*}which is weird, because ##\mathbf{e}_i = H^{-1} H\mathbf{e}_i = \lambda_i H^{-1} \mathbf{e}_i## so ##H^{-1}## should have eigenvalues ##1/\lambda_i##?
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
If you try ##H = -I## you'll see you are correct. ##G = -H^{-1}##.
 
  • Like
Likes ergospherical
Thanks, I'm surprised. It's part of an old exam question!
 
Thread 'Erroneously  finding discrepancy in transpose rule'
Obviously, there is something elementary I am missing here. To form the transpose of a matrix, one exchanges rows and columns, so the transpose of a scalar, considered as (or isomorphic to) a one-entry matrix, should stay the same, including if the scalar is a complex number. On the other hand, in the isomorphism between the complex plane and the real plane, a complex number a+bi corresponds to a matrix in the real plane; taking the transpose we get which then corresponds to a-bi...

Similar threads

  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K