On canonical factorization of rational matrix functions

This paper concerns the problem of canonical factorization of a rational matrix functionW() which is analytic but may benot invertible at infinity. The factors are obtained explicitly in terms of the realization of the original matrix function. The cases of symmetric factorization for selfadjoint and positive rational matrix functions are considered separately.     

Left versus right canonical Wiener-Hopf factorization and realization

For an arbitrary rational matrix function, not necessarily analytic at infinity, the existence of a right canonical Wiener-Hopf factorization is characterized in terms of a left canonical Wiener-Hopf factorization. Formulas for the factors in a right factorization are given in terms of the formulas for the factors in a given left factorization. All formulas are based on a special representation of a rational matrix function involving a quintet of matrices.     

Factorization in Weighted Wiener Matrix Algebras on Linearly Ordered Abelian Groups

Factorizations of Wiener-Hopf type of elements of weighted Wiener algebras of continuous matrix-valued functions on a compact abelian group are studied. The factorizations are with respect to a fixed linear order in the character group (considered with the discrete topology). Among other results, it is proved that if a matrix function has a canonical factorization in one such matrix Wiener algebra then it belongs to the connected component of the identity of the group of invertible elements in the algebra, and moreover, the factors of the canonical factorization depend continuously on the matrix function. In the scalar case, complete characterizations of canonical and noncanonical factorability are given in terms of abstract winding numbers. Wiener-Hopf equivalence of matrix functions with elements in weighted Wiener algebras is also discussed. The second author is supported by COFIN grant 2004015437 and by INdAM; the third and the fourth authors are partially supported by NSF grant DMS-0456625; the third author is also partially supported by the Faculty Research Assignment from the College of William and Mary.     

Meromorphic Factorization Revisited and Application to Some Groups of Matrix Functions

Some properties and applications of meromorphic factorization of matrix functions are studied. It is shown that a meromorphic factorization of a matrix function G allows one to characterize the kernel of the Toeplitz operator with symbol G without actually having to previously obtain a Wiener–Hopf factorization. A method to turn a meromorphic factorization into a Wiener–Hopf one which avoids having to factorize a rational matrix that appears, in general, when each meromorphic factor is treated separately, is also presented. The results are applied to some classes of matrix functions for which the existence of a canonical factorization is studied and the factors of a Wiener–Hopf factorization are explicitly determined. Submitted: April 15, 2007. Revised: October 26, 2007. Accepted: December 12, 2007.     

Direct and inverse scattering for selfadjoint Hamiltonian systems on the line

A direct and inverse scattering theory on the full line is developed for a class of first-order selfadjoint 2n×2n systems of differential equations with integrable potential matrices. Various properties of the corresponding scattering matrices including unitarity and canonical Wiener-Hopf factorization are established. The Marchenko integral equations are derived and their unique solvability is proved. The unique recovery of the potential from the solutions of the Marchenko equations is shown. In the case of rational scattering matrices, state space methods are employed to construct the scattering matrix from a reflection coefficient and to recover the potential explicitly.Dedicated to Israel Gohberg on the Occasion of his 70^th Birthday     

Sommerfeld Half-plane Problems with Higher Order Boundary Conditions

Sommerfeld-type diffraction problems for a half-plane with arbitrary n-th order generalized impedance boundary conditions arc examined in a Sobolev space setting. The corresponding boundary-transmission problems for the two dimensional Helmholtz equation are shown to be well-posed in a family of Sobolev spaces with finite energy norms, through a reduction to equivalent systems of boundary integral equations of Wiener-Hopf type in [L₂⁺ (IR)]². Formulas for the solutions as well as the so-called edge conditions arc obtained for any n, by explicit canonical generalized factorization of the presymbols of the associated Wiener-Hopf operators.     

Quasicomplete factorizations of rational matrix functions

It is shown that within the class ofn×n rational matrix functions which are analytic at infinity with valueW()=I _n, any rational matrix functionW is the productW=W ₁...W _p of rational matrix functionsW ₁,...,W _p of McMillan degree one. Furthermore, such a factorization can be established with a number of factors not exceeding 2(W)–1, where (W) denotes the McMillan degree ofW.     

Generalized pseudoinverses of matrix valued functions

We define the pseudoinverse (resp. a generalized pseudoinverse) of a matrix-valued functionF to be the functionF ^x such that, for each in the domain ofF, F ^x () is the inverse (resp. a generalized inverse) of the matrixF(). We derive a state space formula for a generalized pseudoinverse of a rational matrix function without a pole or zero at infinity. This derivation makes use of the theorem characterizing the factorization of a nonregular rational matrix functionW in terms of the decomposition of the state space of a realization ofW. We also give a formula for a generalized pseudoinverse of an arbitrary rational matrix function in the form of a centered realization. We indicate some applications of generalized pseudoinverses of matrix valued functions.     

On factorization indices of strictly nonsingular 2×2 matrix function

Factorization indices of a strictly nonsingular 2×2 matrix functionA(t) such that ind _T detA(t)=2ind _T a ₁₁(t) are found in terms of the Wiener-Hopf factorization of a matrix function which is close to the identity matrix.     

Factorization of a class of matrix‐functions with stable partial indices

A new effective method for factorization of a class of nonrational n × n matrix‐functions with stable partial indices is proposed. The method is a generalization of one recently proposed by the authors, which was valid for the canonical factorization only. The class of matrices being considered is motivated by their applicability to various problems. The properties and steps of the asymptotic procedure are discussed in detail. The efficiency of the procedure is highlighted by numerical results. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Half- and finite-range completeness for the equation of transfer of polarized light

On neglecting reflection by the surface the existence and uniqueness are proved for the solution of the equation of transfer of polarized light in a homogeneous semi-infinite or finite plane-parallel medium. A general L_L-space formulation, where 1 ≤ p < ∞, is adopted. The analysis concerns a vector-valued convolution equation, which is an equivalent form of the equation of radiative transfer and is solved with the help of Wiener-Hopf factorization, Fredholm index and cone preservation methods. The results are also proved for the equations obtained from the full equation of transfer by means of Fourier expansion and symmetry relations.     

The trigonometric Grassmannian and a difference W-algebra

We introduce a W-algebra which is a central extension of the Lie algebra of difference operators with rational coefficients acting on functions of a discrete variable. We construct its natural fermionic and bosonic representations. We define a module over this difference W-algebra, which characterizes the trigonometric Calogero–Moser spaces.     

Factorization in a Banach Algebra and the Gelfand Transform

The Gelfand transform is used to reduce the Wiener-Hopf factorization of a class ofn × n matrix-valued functions to that of a scalar function. The complete factorization is obtained, including the partial indices.     

Matrix Riemann-Hilbert problems and factorization on Riemann surfaces

The Wiener-Hopf factorization of 2×2 matrix functions and its close relation to scalar Riemann-Hilbert problems on Riemann surfaces is investigated. A family of function classes denoted C(Q₁,Q₂) is defined. To each class C(Q₁,Q₂) a Riemann surface Σ is associated, so that the factorization of the elements of C(Q₁,Q₂) is reduced to solving a scalar Riemann-Hilbert problem on Σ. For the solution of this problem, a notion of Σ-factorization is introduced and a factorization theorem is presented. An example of the factorization of a function belonging to the group of exponentials of rational functions is studied. This example may be seen as typical of applications of the results of this paper to finite-dimensional integrable systems.     

N-group neutron transport theory: A criticality problem in slab geometry

The steady-state equation for N-group neutron transport in slab geometry is written as an integral equation. A spectral analysis is made of the integral operator and related to the criticality problem. The method depends on a representation for the resolvent kernel for a subcritical slab and on analytic continuation in a complex parameter to characterize eigenvalues in terms of singularities of the resolvent. The analytic continuation is based on a bifurcation analysis of some nonlinear matrix integral equations whose solutions provide a matrix Wiener-Hopf factorization of the Fourier transform of the kernel of the transport operator.     

On the identification of Wiener-Hopf factors

This note is concerned with the identification of the Wiener-Hopf factors of a function 1–f, wheref generates an aperiodic distribution on the integers with a negative mean. The general and rational cases are addressed. We give a concise summary of the main practical facts needed for calculations involving the Wiener-Hopf factors. The basic facts are cited from the literature, but a few aspects are briefly proven here.Supported by the European grant BRA-QMIPS of CEC DG XIII.     

Invariant factors, Wiener-Hopf factorization indices, and invariant factors at infinity of rational matrices

The relationship between the finite structure, the infinite structure, and the Wiener-Hopf factorization indices of any rectangular rational matrix is studied.     

Factorization of block matrices

An LU-type factorization theorem due to Elsner and to Gohberg and Goldberg is generalized to block matrices. One form of the general factorization takes the form LMU, where L is block lower-triangular, U is block upper-triangular, and M is a subpermutation matrix each of whose blocks is diagonal. A factorization is also given where the middle term is a block diagonal subpermutation matrix, and the factorization is applied to Wiener-Hopf equations. The nonuniqueness of the middle term in the factorization is analyzed. A special factorization for self-adjoint block matrices is also obtained.