A test for stability of linear differential delay equations
The changes in the stability of a system of linear differential delay equations resulting from the delay are studied by analyzing the associated eigenvalues of the characteristic equation. A specific contour is mapped by the characteristic equation into the complex plane to give an easy test for stability from an application of the argument principle. When the real part of an eigenvalue is positive, the contour gives bounds on the imaginary part which are important in certain applications to nonlinear problems.