English

Matrices commuting with a given normal tropical matrix

Rings and Algebras 2014-12-04 v5

Abstract

Consider the space MnnorM_n^{nor} of square normal matrices X=(xij)X=(x_{ij}) over R{}\mathbb{R}\cup\{-\infty\}, i.e., xij0-\infty\le x_{ij}\le0 and xii=0x_{ii}=0. Endow MnnorM_n^{nor} with the tropical sum \oplus and multiplication \odot. Fix a real matrix AMnnorA\in M_n^{nor} and consider the set Ω(A)\Omega(A) of matrices in MnnorM_n^{nor} which commute with AA. We prove that Ω(A)\Omega(A) is a finite union of alcoved polytopes; in particular, Ω(A)\Omega(A) is a finite union of convex sets. The set ΩA(A)\Omega^A(A) of XX such that AX=XA=AA\odot X=X\odot A=A is also a finite union of alcoved polytopes. The same is true for the set Ω(A)\Omega'(A) of XX such that AX=XA=XA\odot X=X\odot A=X. A topology is given to MnnorM_n^{nor}. Then, the set ΩA(A)\Omega^{A}(A) is a neighborhood of the identity matrix II. If AA is strictly normal, then Ω(A)\Omega'(A) is a neighborhood of the zero matrix. In one case, Ω(A)\Omega(A) is a neighborhood of AA. We give an upper bound for the dimension of Ω(A)\Omega'(A). We explore the relationship between the polyhedral complexes spanAspan A, spanXspan X and span(AX)span (AX), when AA and XX commute. Two matrices, denoted A\underline{A} and Aˉ\bar{A}, arise from AA, in connection with Ω(A)\Omega(A). The geometric meaning of them is given in detail, for one example. We produce examples of matrices which commute, in any dimension.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1209.0660,
  title  = {Matrices commuting with a given normal tropical matrix},
  author = {J. Linde and M. J. de la Puente},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1209.0660},
  year   = {2014}
}

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Journal version

R2 v1 2026-06-21T21:59:33.980Z