Zero cancellation for general rational matrix functions

The problem of cancelling a specified part of the zeros of a completely general rational matrix function by multiplication with an appropriate invertible rational matrix function is investigated from different standpoints. Firstly, the class of all factors that dislocate the zeros and feature minimal McMillan degree are derived. Further, necessary and sufficient existence conditions together with the construction of solutions are given when the factor fulfills additional assumptions like being J-unitary, or J-inner, either with respect to the imaginary axis or to the unit circle. The main technical tool are centered realizations that deliver a sufficiently general conceptual support to cope with rational matrix functions which may be polynomial, proper or improper, rank deficient, with arbitrary poles and zeros including at infinity. A particular attention is paid to the numerically-sound construction of solutions by employing at each stage unitary transformations, reliable numerical algorithms for eigenvalue assignment and efficient Lyapunov equation solvers.