Can a semi-simple eigenvalue admit fractional sensitivities?

Abstract

We perform high-order sensitivity analysis of eigenvalues and eigenvectors of linear systems depending on parameters. Attention is focused on double not-semi-simple and semi-simple eigenvalues, undergoing perturbations, either of regular or singular type. The use of integer (Taylor) or fractional (Puiseux) series expansions is discussed, and the analysis carried out both on the characteristic polynomial and on the eigenvalue problem. It is shown that semi-simple eigenvalues can admit fractional sensitivities when the perturbations are singular, conversely to the not-semi-simple case. However, such occurrence only manifests itself when a second-order perturbation analysis is carried out. As a main result, it is found that such over-degenerate case spontaneously emerges in bifurcation analysis, when one looks for the boundaries of the stability domain of circulatory mechanical systems possessing symmetries. A four degree-of-freedom system under a follower force is studied as an illustrative example.