Calculating a function of a matrix with a real spectrum

Abstract: Let $T$ be a square matrix with a real spectrum, and let $f$ be an analytic function. The problem of the approximate calculation of $f(T)$ is discussed. Applying the Schur triangular decomposition and the reordering, one can assume that $T$ is triangular and its diagonal entries $t_{ii}$ are arranged in increasing order. To avoid calculations using the differences $t_{ii}-t_{jj}$ with close (including equal) $t_{ii}$ and $t_{jj}$, it is proposed to represent $T$ in a block form and calculate the two main block diagonals using interpolating polynomials. The rest of the $f(T)$ entries can be calculated using the Parlett recurrence algorithm. It is also proposed to perform scalar operations (such as the building of interpolating polynomials) with an enlarged number of decimal digits.