Quadratic matrix polynomials with a parameter

In this paper we examine matrix polynomials of the form L(λ) = Aλ² + εBλ + C in which ε is a parameter and A, B, C are positive definite. This arises in a natural way in the study of damped vibrating systems. The main results are concerned with the generic case in which det L(λ) has at least 2n − 1 distinct zeros for all ε ϵ [0, ∞). The values of ε at which there is a multiple zero of det L(λ) are of major interest in this analysis. The dependence of first degree factors of L(λ) on ε is also discussed.