Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: We propose to introduce the concept of exceptional points in intermediate courses on mathematics and classical mechanics by means of simple textbook examples. The first one is an ordinary second-order differential equation with constant coefficients. The second one is the well-known damped harmonic oscillator. From a strict mathematical viewpoint both are the same problem that enables one to connect the occurrence of linearly dependent exponential solutions with a defective matrix which cannot be diagonalized but can be transformed into a Jordan canonical form.
Source: European Journal of Physics
Author: Francisco M Fernández
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2763464631