eigenmatrix

An eigenmatrix refers to a matrix that is specifically constructed or analyzed in relation to its eigenvalues and eigenvectors, fundamental concepts in linear algebra. While the term itself is not as commonly used as "eigenvalue" or "eigenvector," it can describe matrices where the primary focus is on their spectral properties—particularly those that are diagonalizable or already in a form that reveals their eigenvalues explicitly.

In linear algebra, a matrix is often decomposed into simpler components, such as its eigendecomposition, which expresses it as a product of its eigenvectors and a diagonal matrix of eigenvalues. If a matrix is symmetric or Hermitian, it is guaranteed to be diagonalizable, meaning it can be expressed as a product of an orthogonal matrix and a diagonal matrix of eigenvalues. Such matrices are sometimes referred to in contexts where their spectral decomposition is emphasized.

The term "eigenmatrix" may also appear in specialized literature discussing matrix functions, where eigenvalues and eigenvectors play a key role in defining operations like matrix exponentiation or polynomial evaluation. For instance, the exponential of a matrix can be computed efficiently using its eigenvalues and eigenvectors, particularly when the matrix is diagonalizable.

While not a standard term in mainstream mathematical discourse, "eigenmatrix" can be useful in contexts where the focus is on the matrix’s spectral characteristics rather than its general structure. It is important to note that most discussions involving eigenvalues and eigenvectors pertain to square matrices, as only these possess well-defined eigenvalues in the traditional sense.