Maximal Multiplicity Method for Optimal Damping Problem

Abstract: We study the problem of designing optimal damping for a system of $n$ coupled linear oscillators. Using the Weyl--Horn theorem, we construct an explicit damping matrix that realizes the optimal asymptotic decay rate of the system. We prove that this decay rate is sharp and is determined by the geometric mean of the natural frequencies. The resulting damping strategy is shown to outperform the classical Rayleigh (proportional) damping approach. We conclude by characterizing the parameter regimes in which the optimal damping matrix necessarily ceases to be positive definite and discuss the implications of this phenomenon.