May 18 – 22, 2026
Virginia Tech
America/New_York timezone

Inverse Eigenvalue Problems for Graphs: The Weighted Laplacian Case

May 19, 2026, 11:25 AM
25m
Goodwin Hall 244

Goodwin Hall 244

Minisymposium Talk The Inverse Eigenvalue Problem of a Graph and Zero Forcing The Inverse Eigenvalue Problem of a Graph and Zero Forcing

Speaker

Shaun Fallat (University of Regina)

Description

An inverse eigenvalue problem for a graph (IEP-G) asks a fundamental question: What are the possible spectra for (symmetric) real matrices fitting a given graph? Many have worked on several aspects of the IEP-G with exciting advances and variations appearing over the past forty years. Here, the focus will be on weighted Laplacian matrices associated with a graph. Such matrices are permanently intertwined in combinatorial matrix theory and numerical analysis and form a natural matrix class to study for an inverse eigenvalue problem.
For a given graph G, we aim to determine the possible realizable spectra for a generalized (or weighted) Laplacian matrix associated with G. We present such results for certain families of graphs and graphs on a small number of vertices, including possible ordered multiplicity lists.
Strong matrix properties have been associated with several adaptations of inverse eigenvalue problems and sign pattern eigenvalue problems. We introduce a new strong property, the strong spectral property for weighted Laplacian matrices (SSPWL), and establish its Supergraph and Bifurcation lemmas. We develop a Jacobian method which can be used to verify such a strong property. These tools are then applied to derive potential spectral regions of weighted Laplacian matrices of a graph on four vertices.

Author

Shaun Fallat (University of Regina)

Co-authors

Dr Himanshu Gupta (University of Regina) Prof. Jephian C.-H. Lin (National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University) Prof. Minerva Catral (Xavier University)

Presentation materials

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