Parametric Factorization of Matrices

Abstract In this survey paper we study parametric versions of writing a matrix in $$SL_n (\mathbb {C})$$ S L n ( C ) as a product of lower and upper unitriangular matrices in interchanging order as well as generalizations to other classical groups. We give an account of algebraic, continuous and holomorphic factorization results, from the standpoint of Several Complex Variables. Out of the wealth of algebraic results, we only concentrate on those which are related to holomorphic factorization and often formulate them in a specific form, e.g. for the field of complex numbers in place of more general fields or principal ideal domains. The number of unitriangular matrices needed is a difficult problem and is solved in very specific cases only. We give a new lower bound for factorizing matrices in $$SL_2 (\mathbb {C})$$ S L 2 ( C ) continuously parametrized by normal topological spaces of dimension larger than one.