The convergence of the lowest eigenvalue of a real nearly-symmetric matrix

The lowest eigenvalue of a real nearly-symmetric matrix is expressed as a perturbation series in terms of the eigenvalues of the symmetric part and the matrix elements of the skew-symmetric part. It is shown that the resulting series is closely related to the perturbation series for the lowest eigenvalue of a related hermitian matrix. This enables the behaviour of the lowest eigenvalue of a nearly symmetric matrix as the dimension of the matrix is increased to be deduced from the behaviour of the lowest eigenvalue of a hermitian matrix. This is of considerable importance as the behaviour of the lowest eigenvalue of a hermitian matrix as the dimension of the matrix is increased can be much more readily established. A possible application to Boys' transcorrelated method of calculating atomic and molecular energies is suggested.