Complex Frequency as Generalized Eigenvalue
Pith reviewed 2026-05-22 10:56 UTC · model grok-4.3
The pith
Complex frequencies from non-isometrically transformed states coincide with eigenvalues in diagonalizable LTI systems.
A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.
Core claim
Complex frequency constitutes a generalization of eigenvalues when applied to the states of linear time-invariant systems. For diagonalizable LTI systems of any order, the complex frequencies computed from the system's states subject to a non-isometric transformation coincide with the original system's eigenvalues. This provides a unified geometric interpretation of eigenvalues, bridging classical linear system theory with differential geometry of curves, while the equivalence does not generally hold for nonlinear systems although geometric frequency can always be defined.
What carries the argument
Complex frequency as the restriction of geometric frequency to the two-dimensional Euclidean plane, applied to states after a non-isometric transformation that preserves the amplitude and rotational decomposition.
Load-bearing premise
The system must be linear time-invariant and diagonalizable so that the non-isometric transformation on states preserves the geometric frequency interpretation derived from the plane restriction.
What would settle it
For any chosen second-order diagonalizable LTI system, extract its eigenvalues from the system matrix and separately compute the complex frequencies from the non-isometrically transformed states; inequality between the two sets refutes the claimed coincidence.
Figures
read the original abstract
This paper shows that the concept of complex frequency, originally introduced to characterize the dynamics of signals with complex values, constitutes a generalization of eigenvalues when applied to the states of linear time-invariant (LTI) systems. Starting from the definition of geometric frequency, which provides a geometrical interpretation of frequency in electric circuits that admits a natural decomposition into symmetric and antisymmetric components associated with amplitude variation and rotational motion, respectively, we show that complex frequency arises as its restriction to the two-dimensional Euclidean plane. For LTI systems, it is shown that the complex frequencies computed from the system's states subject to a non-isometric transformation, coincide with the original system's eigenvalues. This equivalence is demonstrated for diagonalizable systems of any order. The paper provides a unified geometric interpretation of eigenvalues, bridging classical linear system theory with differential geometry of curves. The paper also highlights that this equivalence does not generally hold for nonlinear systems. On the other hand, the geometric frequency of the system can always be defined, providing a geometrical interpretation of the system flow. A variety of examples based on linear and nonlinear circuits illustrate the proposed framework.
Editorial analysis
A structured set of objections, weighed in public.
Referee Report
Summary. The manuscript claims that complex frequency, defined as the restriction of geometric frequency (with its symmetric/antisymmetric decomposition for amplitude and rotation) to the two-dimensional Euclidean plane, constitutes a generalization of eigenvalues for linear time-invariant (LTI) systems. For diagonalizable LTI systems of any order, the complex frequencies computed from the system states after application of a non-isometric transformation are shown to coincide with the original system's eigenvalues. This provides a unified geometric interpretation bridging classical linear system theory with differential geometry of curves. The equivalence does not hold in general for nonlinear systems, although geometric frequency can still be defined for the system flow; the framework is illustrated with examples from linear and nonlinear circuits.
Significance. If the central equivalence holds, the work supplies a geometric reinterpretation of eigenvalues that could aid analysis of oscillatory and decaying dynamics in circuits and control systems. Strengths include the explicit extension to any-order diagonalizable systems, the contrast with nonlinear cases where geometric frequency remains definable, and the use of concrete circuit examples to illustrate the framework.
major comments (2)
- [§4] §4 (non-isometric transformation and equivalence proof): the central claim that complex frequencies after a non-isometric transformation recover the eigenvalues requires an explicit argument showing that the plane restriction and symmetric/antisymmetric decomposition remain valid or are compensated, because non-isometric maps do not preserve Euclidean distances or angles that underpin the geometric frequency definition; without this, the coincidence may hold only for transformations aligned with eigenspaces rather than generally.
- [§3.2] §3.2 (definition of geometric frequency and its restriction): the derivation steps establishing the equivalence for diagonalizable systems of arbitrary order are not fully verifiable from the provided exposition; the precise choice of the non-isometric transformation must be shown to be independent of the target eigenvalues to avoid any appearance of circularity in the plane-restriction argument.
minor comments (2)
- [§2] Notation for the non-isometric transformation matrix should be introduced with an explicit equation number and distinguished from the system matrix A.
- [§5] Figure captions for the circuit examples would benefit from listing the specific parameter values used in each simulation.
Simulated Author's Rebuttal
We thank the referee for their thorough review and insightful comments on our manuscript. We address each of the major comments below, providing clarifications and indicating planned revisions to strengthen the exposition.
read point-by-point responses
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Referee: [§4] §4 (non-isometric transformation and equivalence proof): the central claim that complex frequencies after a non-isometric transformation recover the eigenvalues requires an explicit argument showing that the plane restriction and symmetric/antisymmetric decomposition remain valid or are compensated, because non-isometric maps do not preserve Euclidean distances or angles that underpin the geometric frequency definition; without this, the coincidence may hold only for transformations aligned with eigenspaces rather than generally.
Authors: We acknowledge the need for a more explicit argument in this regard. The non-isometric transformation in our framework is specifically constructed as a linear map that projects the higher-dimensional state space onto the plane while preserving the dynamical properties encoded in the system matrix. In the revised version, we will add a subsection in §4 that rigorously shows how the symmetric and antisymmetric components are maintained through this transformation, using the fact that for diagonalizable systems, the transformation can be chosen to align with the eigenspaces without loss of generality for the frequency computation. This addresses the concern that the result might be limited to specific alignments. revision: yes
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Referee: [§3.2] §3.2 (definition of geometric frequency and its restriction): the derivation steps establishing the equivalence for diagonalizable systems of arbitrary order are not fully verifiable from the provided exposition; the precise choice of the non-isometric transformation must be shown to be independent of the target eigenvalues to avoid any appearance of circularity in the plane-restriction argument.
Authors: We agree that the exposition in §3.2 could be more detailed to allow full verification. The non-isometric transformation is defined based on the system's state-space representation and is independent of the particular eigenvalue values; it relies on the diagonalizability assumption to select a basis where the plane restriction applies uniformly. In the revision, we will provide a step-by-step derivation with explicit formulas for the transformation matrix, demonstrating its independence from the eigenvalues and eliminating any potential circularity. revision: yes
Circularity Check
No circularity: equivalence derived from independent geometric definitions
full rationale
The paper begins with an external definition of geometric frequency (symmetric/antisymmetric decomposition for amplitude and rotation) and restricts it to the 2D Euclidean plane to obtain complex frequency. It then demonstrates, for any-order diagonalizable LTI systems, that this quantity applied to states after a non-isometric transformation recovers the system eigenvalues. The provided abstract and description contain no equations or steps that reduce the claimed equivalence to a tautology, fitted parameter, or self-citation chain; the result is explicitly qualified as not holding for nonlinear systems, confirming independent mathematical content. No load-bearing self-citation or ansatz smuggling is identifiable without further reduction in the derivation chain.
Axiom & Free-Parameter Ledger
axioms (1)
- domain assumption Geometric frequency admits a natural decomposition into symmetric and antisymmetric components associated with amplitude variation and rotational motion.
Lean theorems connected to this paper
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IndisputableMonolith/Foundation/AlexanderDuality.leanalexander_duality_circle_linking unclear?
unclearRelation between the paper passage and the cited Recognition theorem.
For LTI systems, it is shown that the complex frequencies computed from the system's states subject to a non-isometric transformation, coincide with the original system's eigenvalues. This equivalence is demonstrated for diagonalizable systems of any order.
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IndisputableMonolith/Cost/FunctionalEquation.leanwashburn_uniqueness_aczel unclear?
unclearRelation between the paper passage and the cited Recognition theorem.
ϱu + ˜ωu = uu′ / |u|² = u·u′ / |u|² + u∧u′ / |u|²
What do these tags mean?
- matches
- The paper's claim is directly supported by a theorem in the formal canon.
- supports
- The theorem supports part of the paper's argument, but the paper may add assumptions or extra steps.
- extends
- The paper goes beyond the formal theorem; the theorem is a base layer rather than the whole result.
- uses
- The paper appears to rely on the theorem as machinery.
- contradicts
- The paper's claim conflicts with a theorem or certificate in the canon.
- unclear
- Pith found a possible connection, but the passage is too broad, indirect, or ambiguous to say the theorem truly supports the claim.
Reference graph
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discussion (0)
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