Characteristic matrix functions for delay differential equations with symmetry

Abstract: A characteristic matrix function captures the spectral information of a bounded linear operator in a matrix-valued function. In this article, we consider a delay differential equation with one discrete time delay and assume this equation is equivariant with respect to a compact symmetry group. Under this assumption, the delay differential equation can have discrete wave solutions, i.e. periodic solutions that have a discrete group of spatio-temporal symmetries. We show that if a discrete wave solution has a period that is rationally related to the time delay, then we can determine its stability using a characteristic matrix function. The proof relies on equivariant Floquet theory and results by Kaashoek and Verduyn Lunel on characteristic matrix functions for classes of compact operators. We discuss applications of our result in the context of delayed feedback stabilization of periodic orbits.