Strongly Positive Semi-Definite Tensors and Strongly SOS Tensors

TL;DR

This paper introduces and explores classes of strongly positive semi-definite and sum-of-squares tensors, examining their properties, relationships, and examples, especially in odd-order cases, expanding the understanding of tensor positivity.

Contribution

It defines strongly PSD and strongly SOS tensors for odd orders, introduces strict Hankel and barren tensors, and studies their properties and distinctions from other tensor classes.

Findings

Strongly SOS tensors are a subset of strongly PSD tensors.

Odd-order barren tensors have no H-eigenvalues.

Examples show differences between various PSD-like tensor classes.

Abstract

We introduce {odd-order} strongly PSD (positive semi-definite) tensors which map real vectors to nonnegative vectors. We then introduce odd-order strongly SOS (sum-of-squares) tensors. A strongly SOS tensor maps real vectors to nonnegative vectors whose components are all SOS polynomials. Strongly SOS tensors are strongly PSD tensors. Odd order completely positive tensors are strongly SOS tensors. We also introduce strict Hankel tensors, which are also strongly SOS tensors. Odd order Hilbert tensors are strict Hankel tensors. However, the Laplacian tensor of a uniform hypergraph may not be strongly PSD. This motivates us to study wider PSD-like tensors. A cubic tensor is said to be a generalized PSD tensor if its corresponding symmetrization tensor has no negative H-eigenvalue. In the odd order case, this extension contains a peculiar tensor class, whose members have no H-eigenvalues at all. We call such tensors barren tensors, and the other generalized PSD symmetric tensors genuinely PSD symmetric tensors. In the odd order case, genuinely PSD tensors embrace various useful structured tensors, such as strongly PSD tensors, symmetric M-tensors and Laplacian tensors of uniform hypergraphs. However, there are exceptions. It is known an even order symmetric B-tensor is a PSD tensor. We give an example of an odd order symmetric B-tensor, which is a barren tensor.