The eigenpairs of a Sylvester–Kac type matrix associated with a simple model for one-dimensional deposition and evaporation

Abstract

A straightforward model for deposition and evaporation on discrete cells of a finite array of any dimension leads to a matrix equation involving a Sylvester–Kac type matrix. The eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the general matrix are determined for an arbitrary number of cells. A variety of models to which this solution may be applied are discussed.