The MATRIX_POWER function computes the product of a matrix with itself. For example, the fifth power of array A is A # A # A # A # A. Negative powers are computed using the matrix inverse of the positive power.
Result = MATRIX_POWER(Array, N [, /DOUBLE] [, STATUS=value])
The result is a square array containing the value of the matrix raised to the specified power. A power of zero returns the identity matrix.
A square, two-dimensional array of any numeric type.
An integer representing the power. N may be positive or negative.
Set this keyword to return a double-precision result. Explicitly set this keyword equal to zero to return a single-precision result. The default return type depends upon the precision of Array.
| Note |
Set this keyword equal to a named variable that will contain the status of the matrix inverse for negative powers. Possible values are:
For non-negative powers, STATUS is always set to 0.
Print an array to the one millionth power:
array = [ [0.401d, 0.600d], $
[0.525d, 0.475d] ]
PRINT, MATRIX_POWER(array, 1e6)
IDL prints:
2.4487434e+202 2.7960773e+202 2.4465677e+202 2.7935929e+202
Introduced: 5.6
MATRIX_MULTIPLY, "Multiplying Arrays" in the Using IDL manual