Analysis of a Belgian Chocolate Stabilization Problem

We give a detailed numerical and theoretical analysis of a stabilization problem posed by V. Blondel in 1994. Our approach illustrates the effectiveness of a new gradient sampling algorithm for finding local optimizers of nonsmooth, nonconvex optimization problems arising in control, as well as the power of nonsmooth analysis for understanding variational problems involving polynomial … Read more

Variational Analysis of Functions of the Roots of Polynomials

The Gauss-Lucas Theorem on the roots of polynomials nicely simplifies calculating the subderivative and regular subdifferential of the abscissa mapping on polynomials (the maximum of the real parts of the roots). This paper extends this approach to more general functions of the roots. By combining the Gauss-Lucas methodology with an analysis of the splitting behavior … Read more

Stationarity and Regularity of Set Systems

Extremality, stationarity and regularity notions for a system of closed sets in a normed linear space are investigated. The equivalence of different abstract “extremal” settings in terms of set systems and multifunctions is proved. The dual necessary and sufficient conditions of weak stationarity (the Extended extremal principle) are presented for the case of an Asplund … Read more

Weak Stationarity: Eliminating the Gap between Necessary and Sufficient Conditions

Starting from known necessary extremality conditions in terms of strict subdifferentials and normals the notion of weak stationarity is introduced. It is defined in terms of initial space elements. The necessary conditions become necessary and sufficient (for stationarity). Citation School of Information Technology and Mathematical Sciences, Centre of Information and Applied Optimization, University of Ballarat, … Read more

The mathematics of eigenvalue optimization

Optimization problems involving the eigenvalues of symmetric and nonsymmetric matrices present a fascinating mathematical challenge. Such problems arise often in theory and practice, particularly in engineering design, and are amenable to a rich blend of classical mathematical techniques and contemporary optimization theory. This essay presents a personal choice of some central mathematical ideas, outlined for … Read more

Nonsmooth Equation Method for Nonlinear Nonconvex Optimization

In this paper, we propose an algorithm for solving nonlinear nonconvex programming problems, which is based on the nonsmooth equation approach. This Algorithm was implemented in the interactive system for universal functional optimization UFO. Results of numerical experiments are reported. Citation Report V844, Institute of Computer Science, AV CR, Pod Vodarenskou Vezi 2, 18207 Praha … Read more

Robust regularization

Given a real function on a Euclidean space, we consider its “robust regularization”: the value of this new function at any given point is the maximum value of the original function in a fixed neighbourhood of the point in question. This construction allows us to impose constraints in an optimization problem *robustly*, safeguarding a constraint … Read more

Variational Analysis of the Abscissa Mapping for Polynomials

The abscissa mapping on the affine variety $M_n$ of monic polynomials of degree $n$ is the mapping that takes a monic polynomial to the maximum of the real parts of its roots. This mapping plays a central role in the stability theory of matrices and dynamical systems. It is well known that the abscissa mapping … Read more

Optimal Stability and Eigenvalue Multiplicity

We consider the problem of minimizing over an affine set of square matrices the maximum of the real parts of the eigenvalues. Such problems are prototypical in robust control and stability analysis. Under nondegeneracy conditions, we show that the multiplicities of the active eigenvalues at a critical matrix remain unchanged under small perturbations of the … Read more

Optimizing Matrix Stability

Given an affine subspace of square matrices, we consider the problem of minimizing the spectral abscissa (the largest real part of an eigenvalue). We give an example whose optimal solution has Jordan form consisting of a single Jordan block, and we show, using nonlipschitz variational analysis, that this behaviour persists under arbitrary small perturbations to … Read more