The Derivatives of Repeated Eigenvalues and Their Associated Eigenvectors

This paper considers the calculation of eigenvalue and eigenvector derivatives when the eigenvalues are repeated. An extension to Nelson’s method is used to calculate the first order derivatives of eigenvectors when the derivatives of the associated eigenvalues are also equal. The continuity of the eigenvalues and eigenvectors is discussed, and the discontinuities in the eigenvectors, when they are regarded as functions of two or more design parameters, is demonstrated. The validity of Taylor series for the eigenvalues and eigenvectors is examined and the use of these series critically assessed.