Two aspects of the perturbation problem for the eigenvalues of a unitary matrix U are treated. Firstly, analogues of the Hoffman-Wielandt theorem and a weyl-type theorem proved by Bhatia and Davis are derived, which are based on a different measure of the distance of spectra. Using a suitable parametrization of the unit circle by an angle, the new results are called tangent theorems , in contrast to the first- mentioned well-known results, which are sine theorems . Moreover, we illuminate the unknown minimizing permutations in the above Weyl-type theorems. With respect to their angles the eigenvalues of U and Ũ (the perturbed matrix) are naturally ordered on the unit circle counterclockwise, after a point is cut on the unit circle. We prove a well-known open conjecture; there exists a cutting point such that the Weyl-type theorems, both sine and tangent, are true when the ordered eigenvalues of U and Ũ are paired with each other. Secondly, the Cauchy interlacing theorem for Hermitian matrices is generalized. It is shown that certain modified principal submatrices of U , called the modified k th leading principal submatrices, have the property that their eigenvalues interlace those of U . Finally we discuss block reflectors, appearing in the description of the modified principal submatrices, and generalize a result of Schreiber and Parlett.
Read full abstract