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Both a numerical check and a brief proof-attempt of mine for **3.** did not work out. No time to treat this carefully. Therefore, I simply deleted remark **3.**
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Peter Heinig
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Francois Ziegler has already provided a very relevant answer.

Let me point out three further relevant things:

1. While the OP is not expressly interested in matrices with integer entries, a very relevant article nevertheless is W. Plesken: Solving $XX^{\mathrm{tr}}=A$ Over the Integers. Linear Algebra and its Applications. Volumes 226–228, September–October 1995, Pages 331-344. Therein, in is in particular proved (let $A=I$ and $X=U^{\mathrm{t}}$) that in the context of the OP

$U^{\mathrm{t}}U = I\quad$ ${}\quad$ if and only if${}\qquad\qquad$ $(U U^{\mathrm{t}})^2 = U U^{\mathrm{t}}$ $\quad$and$\quad$ $\mathrm{tr}( UU^{\mathrm{t}})=n$

$\color{white}{( U^{\mathrm{t}}U = I )}{}\quad$ if and only if${}\qquad\qquad$ $UU^{\mathrm{t}}$ is idempotent and has its trace equal to its rank

$\color{white}{( U^{\mathrm{t}}U = I )}{}\quad $ if and only if${}\qquad\qquad$ $UU^{\mathrm{t}}$ is idempotent,

where the first equivalence holds by Proposition 2.2 in loc. cit., the penultimate holds by a mere reformulation of the first-mentioned equivalence (note that the OP's hypotheses imply that $U U^{\mathrm{t}}$ has rank $n$), and the last step being a widely-known, not-quite-obvious fact from linear algebra (every idempotent matrix has its trace equal to its rank).

So we have shown:

The matrices of the OP are precisely those $U\in\mathbb{R}^{m\times n}$ for which $UU^T$ is an idempotent in the matrix ring $\mathrm{Mat}(m\times n;\mathbb{R})$.

2. Moreover, in the context defined by the OP we have:

If the OP's hypotheses are satisfied, then the Moore-Penrose pseudoinverse of $U$ equals the transpose of $U$. Conversely, if $U$ is a real matrix whose Moore-Penrose pseudoinverse equals its transpose, then the sum of the squares of the rank-sized minors equals $1$. 1

Proof of 2. By the usual formula,

$U^+ = \biggl(\overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}}\cdot U\biggr)^{-1}\cdot \overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}}\qquad\qquad$ (0).

Sufficiency: If the OP's hypotheses are satisfied, then $\overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}}\cdot U = \mathrm{Id}$ and $\overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}} = U^{\mathrm{t}}$, so (0) implies $U^+=U^{\mathrm{t}}$.

Necessity: Suppose conversely that $U^+=U^{\mathrm{t}}$. Then (0) implies that $U^{\mathrm{t}} = (U^{\mathrm{t}}U) U^{\mathrm{t}}$. This implies $U^{\mathrm{t}}U = ((U^{\mathrm{t}}U) U^{\mathrm{t}})\cdot(U(U^{\mathrm{t}}U))$ $=$ (by associativity) $=$ $( U^{\mathrm{t}}U)^3$, hence, applying the homomorphism $\det\colon \mathbb{R}^{m\times m}\to\mathbb{R}$ it follows that, abbreviating $d:=\mathrm{det}(U^{\mathrm{t}}U)$, we have $d = d^3$. Since the OP's hypotheses imply that $U^{\mathrm{t}}U\in\mathbb{R}^n$ has full rank $n$, we know that $d\neq 0$, and hence it follows that $1=d^2$, and hence $d\in\{-1,+1\}$; for further reference,

$\det(U^{\mathrm{t}}U)\in\{-1,1\}\qquad\qquad (1)$.

By the Cauchy-Binet-theorem, it follows from (1) that (in particular since sums of squares of real numbers are non-negative)

$$1 = \sum_{S:\quad\textsf{$n$-element subsets of $m$}} \det( U|_{S\times n})^2 $$

The completes the proof of 2.

3. If I don't misread some old notes of mine (which were written, however, in the context of incidence matrices of abstract simplicial complexes, and are not as carefully checked as I would like them to be), then 2. implies that:

If $e_n(x_1,\dotsc,x_m)$ denotes the $n$-th Elementary symmetric polynomial, and if $\lambda_1\geq\dotsc\geq\lambda_m$ denotes the eigenvalues of the symmetric matrix $UU^{\mathrm{t}}\in\mathbb{R}^{m\times m}$, then the OP's hypotheses imply that $$ 1 = e_n(\lambda_1,\dotsc,\lambda_m)\qquad\qquad(\text{necessary.eigenvalue.condition})$$.

Again, I am less sure about 3. than about 2. and 1. (which needless to say, might contain some error somewhere, too; please use with care and check for yourself; in particular, it might be good to do a numerical check; I will have to go offline now).

1 This is not a "name", yet may lead the OP to useful relevant literature.

Francois Ziegler has already provided a very relevant answer.

Let me point out three further relevant things:

1. While the OP is not expressly interested in matrices with integer entries, a very relevant article nevertheless is W. Plesken: Solving $XX^{\mathrm{tr}}=A$ Over the Integers. Linear Algebra and its Applications. Volumes 226–228, September–October 1995, Pages 331-344. Therein, in is in particular proved (let $A=I$ and $X=U^{\mathrm{t}}$) that in the context of the OP

$U^{\mathrm{t}}U = I\quad$ ${}\quad$ if and only if${}\qquad\qquad$ $(U U^{\mathrm{t}})^2 = U U^{\mathrm{t}}$ $\quad$and$\quad$ $\mathrm{tr}( UU^{\mathrm{t}})=n$

$\color{white}{( U^{\mathrm{t}}U = I )}{}\quad$ if and only if${}\qquad\qquad$ $UU^{\mathrm{t}}$ is idempotent and has its trace equal to its rank

$\color{white}{( U^{\mathrm{t}}U = I )}{}\quad $ if and only if${}\qquad\qquad$ $UU^{\mathrm{t}}$ is idempotent,

where the first equivalence holds by Proposition 2.2 in loc. cit., the penultimate holds by a mere reformulation of the first-mentioned equivalence (note that the OP's hypotheses imply that $U U^{\mathrm{t}}$ has rank $n$), and the last step being a widely-known, not-quite-obvious fact from linear algebra (every idempotent matrix has its trace equal to its rank).

So we have shown:

The matrices of the OP are precisely those $U\in\mathbb{R}^{m\times n}$ for which $UU^T$ is an idempotent in the matrix ring $\mathrm{Mat}(m\times n;\mathbb{R})$.

2. Moreover, in the context defined by the OP we have:

If the OP's hypotheses are satisfied, then the Moore-Penrose pseudoinverse of $U$ equals the transpose of $U$. Conversely, if $U$ is a real matrix whose Moore-Penrose pseudoinverse equals its transpose, then the sum of the squares of the rank-sized minors equals $1$. 1

Proof of 2. By the usual formula,

$U^+ = \biggl(\overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}}\cdot U\biggr)^{-1}\cdot \overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}}\qquad\qquad$ (0).

Sufficiency: If the OP's hypotheses are satisfied, then $\overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}}\cdot U = \mathrm{Id}$ and $\overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}} = U^{\mathrm{t}}$, so (0) implies $U^+=U^{\mathrm{t}}$.

Necessity: Suppose conversely that $U^+=U^{\mathrm{t}}$. Then (0) implies that $U^{\mathrm{t}} = (U^{\mathrm{t}}U) U^{\mathrm{t}}$. This implies $U^{\mathrm{t}}U = ((U^{\mathrm{t}}U) U^{\mathrm{t}})\cdot(U(U^{\mathrm{t}}U))$ $=$ (by associativity) $=$ $( U^{\mathrm{t}}U)^3$, hence, applying the homomorphism $\det\colon \mathbb{R}^{m\times m}\to\mathbb{R}$ it follows that, abbreviating $d:=\mathrm{det}(U^{\mathrm{t}}U)$, we have $d = d^3$. Since the OP's hypotheses imply that $U^{\mathrm{t}}U\in\mathbb{R}^n$ has full rank $n$, we know that $d\neq 0$, and hence it follows that $1=d^2$, and hence $d\in\{-1,+1\}$; for further reference,

$\det(U^{\mathrm{t}}U)\in\{-1,1\}\qquad\qquad (1)$.

By the Cauchy-Binet-theorem, it follows from (1) that (in particular since sums of squares of real numbers are non-negative)

$$1 = \sum_{S:\quad\textsf{$n$-element subsets of $m$}} \det( U|_{S\times n})^2 $$

The completes the proof of 2.

3. If I don't misread some old notes of mine (which were written, however, in the context of incidence matrices of abstract simplicial complexes, and are not as carefully checked as I would like them to be), then 2. implies that:

If $e_n(x_1,\dotsc,x_m)$ denotes the $n$-th Elementary symmetric polynomial, and if $\lambda_1\geq\dotsc\geq\lambda_m$ denotes the eigenvalues of the symmetric matrix $UU^{\mathrm{t}}\in\mathbb{R}^{m\times m}$, then the OP's hypotheses imply that $$ 1 = e_n(\lambda_1,\dotsc,\lambda_m)\qquad\qquad(\text{necessary.eigenvalue.condition})$$.

Again, I am less sure about 3. than about 2. and 1. (which needless to say, might contain some error somewhere, too; please use with care and check for yourself; in particular, it might be good to do a numerical check; I will have to go offline now).

1 This is not a "name", yet may lead the OP to useful relevant literature.

Francois Ziegler has already provided a very relevant answer.

Let me point out three further relevant things:

1. While the OP is not expressly interested in matrices with integer entries, a very relevant article nevertheless is W. Plesken: Solving $XX^{\mathrm{tr}}=A$ Over the Integers. Linear Algebra and its Applications. Volumes 226–228, September–October 1995, Pages 331-344. Therein, in is in particular proved (let $A=I$ and $X=U^{\mathrm{t}}$) that in the context of the OP

$U^{\mathrm{t}}U = I\quad$ ${}\quad$ if and only if${}\qquad\qquad$ $(U U^{\mathrm{t}})^2 = U U^{\mathrm{t}}$ $\quad$and$\quad$ $\mathrm{tr}( UU^{\mathrm{t}})=n$

$\color{white}{( U^{\mathrm{t}}U = I )}{}\quad$ if and only if${}\qquad\qquad$ $UU^{\mathrm{t}}$ is idempotent and has its trace equal to its rank

$\color{white}{( U^{\mathrm{t}}U = I )}{}\quad $ if and only if${}\qquad\qquad$ $UU^{\mathrm{t}}$ is idempotent,

where the first equivalence holds by Proposition 2.2 in loc. cit., the penultimate holds by a mere reformulation of the first-mentioned equivalence (note that the OP's hypotheses imply that $U U^{\mathrm{t}}$ has rank $n$), and the last step being a widely-known, not-quite-obvious fact from linear algebra (every idempotent matrix has its trace equal to its rank).

So we have shown:

The matrices of the OP are precisely those $U\in\mathbb{R}^{m\times n}$ for which $UU^T$ is an idempotent in the matrix ring $\mathrm{Mat}(m\times n;\mathbb{R})$.

2. Moreover, in the context defined by the OP we have:

If the OP's hypotheses are satisfied, then the Moore-Penrose pseudoinverse of $U$ equals the transpose of $U$. Conversely, if $U$ is a real matrix whose Moore-Penrose pseudoinverse equals its transpose, then the sum of the squares of the rank-sized minors equals $1$. 1

Proof of 2. By the usual formula,

$U^+ = \biggl(\overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}}\cdot U\biggr)^{-1}\cdot \overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}}\qquad\qquad$ (0).

Sufficiency: If the OP's hypotheses are satisfied, then $\overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}}\cdot U = \mathrm{Id}$ and $\overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}} = U^{\mathrm{t}}$, so (0) implies $U^+=U^{\mathrm{t}}$.

Necessity: Suppose conversely that $U^+=U^{\mathrm{t}}$. Then (0) implies that $U^{\mathrm{t}} = (U^{\mathrm{t}}U) U^{\mathrm{t}}$. This implies $U^{\mathrm{t}}U = ((U^{\mathrm{t}}U) U^{\mathrm{t}})\cdot(U(U^{\mathrm{t}}U))$ $=$ (by associativity) $=$ $( U^{\mathrm{t}}U)^3$, hence, applying the homomorphism $\det\colon \mathbb{R}^{m\times m}\to\mathbb{R}$ it follows that, abbreviating $d:=\mathrm{det}(U^{\mathrm{t}}U)$, we have $d = d^3$. Since the OP's hypotheses imply that $U^{\mathrm{t}}U\in\mathbb{R}^n$ has full rank $n$, we know that $d\neq 0$, and hence it follows that $1=d^2$, and hence $d\in\{-1,+1\}$; for further reference,

$\det(U^{\mathrm{t}}U)\in\{-1,1\}\qquad\qquad (1)$.

By the Cauchy-Binet-theorem, it follows from (1) that (in particular since sums of squares of real numbers are non-negative)

$$1 = \sum_{S:\quad\textsf{$n$-element subsets of $m$}} \det( U|_{S\times n})^2 $$

The completes the proof of 2.

1 This is not a "name", yet may lead the OP to useful relevant literature.

Added a property that I conjecture to be a necessary one for the matrices the OP was asking about.
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Peter Heinig
  • 6.1k
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Francois Ziegler has already provided a very relevant answer.

Let me point out three further relevant things:

1. While the OP is not expressly interested in matrices with integer entries, a very relevant article nevertheless is W. Plesken: Solving $XX^{\mathrm{tr}}=A$ Over the Integers. Linear Algebra and its Applications. Volumes 226–228, September–October 1995, Pages 331-344. Therein, in is in particular proved (let $A=I$ and $X=U^{\mathrm{t}}$) that in the context of the OP

$U^{\mathrm{t}}U = I\quad$ ${}\quad$ if and only if${}\qquad\qquad$ $(U U^{\mathrm{t}})^2 = U U^{\mathrm{t}}$ $\quad$and$\quad$ $\mathrm{tr}( UU^{\mathrm{t}})=n$

$\color{white}{( U^{\mathrm{t}}U = I )}{}\quad$ if and only if${}\qquad\qquad$ $UU^{\mathrm{t}}$ is idempotent and has its trace equal to its rank

$\color{white}{( U^{\mathrm{t}}U = I )}{}\quad $ if and only if${}\qquad\qquad$ $UU^{\mathrm{t}}$ is idempotent,

where the first equivalence holds by Proposition 2.2 in loc. cit., the penultimate holds by a mere reformulation of the first-mentioned equivalence (note that the OP's hypotheses imply that $U U^{\mathrm{t}}$ has rank $n$), and the last step being a widely-known, not-quite-obvious fact from linear algebra (every idempotent matrix has its trace equal to its rank).

So we have shown:

The matrices of the OP are precisely those $U\in\mathbb{R}^{m\times n}$ for which $UU^T$ is an idempotent in the matrix ring $\mathrm{Mat}(m\times n;\mathbb{R})$.

2. Moreover, in the context defined by the OP we have:

If the OP's hypotheses are satisfied, then the Moore-Penrose pseudoinverse of $U$ equals the transpose of $U$. Conversely, if $U$ is a real matrix whose Moore-Penrose pseudoinverse equals its transpose, then the sum of the squares of the rank-sized minors equals $1$. 1

Proof of 2. By the usual formula,

$U^+ = \biggl(\overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}}\cdot U\biggr)^{-1}\cdot \overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}}\qquad\qquad$ (0).

Sufficiency: If the OP's hypotheses are satisfied, then $\overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}}\cdot U = \mathrm{Id}$ and $\overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}} = U^{\mathrm{t}}$, so (0) implies $U^+=U^{\mathrm{t}}$.

Necessity: Suppose conversely that $U^+=U^{\mathrm{t}}$. Then (0) implies that $U^{\mathrm{t}} = (U^{\mathrm{t}}U) U^{\mathrm{t}}$. This implies $U^{\mathrm{t}}U = ((U^{\mathrm{t}}U) U^{\mathrm{t}})\cdot(U(U^{\mathrm{t}}U))$ $=$ (by associativity) $=$ $( U^{\mathrm{t}}U)^3$, hence, applying the homomorphism $\det\colon \mathbb{R}^{m\times m}\to\mathbb{R}$ it follows that, abbreviating $d:=\mathrm{det}(U^{\mathrm{t}}U)$, we have $d = d^3$. Since the OP's hypotheses imply that $U^{\mathrm{t}}U\in\mathbb{R}^n$ has full rank $n$, we know that $d\neq 0$, and hence it follows that $1=d^2$, and hence $d\in\{-1,+1\}$; for further reference,

$\det(U^{\mathrm{t}}U)\in\{-1,1\}\qquad\qquad (1)$.

By the Cauchy-Binet-theorem, it follows from (1) that (in particular since sums of squares of real numbers are non-negative)

$$1 = \sum_{S:\quad\textsf{$n$-element subsets of $m$}} \det( U|_{S\times n})^2 $$

The completes the proof of 2.

3. If I don't misread some old notes of mine (which were written, however, in the context of incidence matrices of abstract simplicial complexes, and are not as carefully checked as I would like them to be), then 2. implies that:

If $e_n(x_1,\dotsc,x_m)$ denotes the $n$-th Elementary symmetric polynomial, and if $\lambda_1\geq\dotsc\geq\lambda_m$ denotes the eigenvalues of the symmetric matrix $UU^{\mathrm{t}}\in\mathbb{R}^{m\times m}$, then the OP's hypotheses imply that $$ 1 = e_n(\lambda_1,\dotsc,\lambda_m)\qquad\qquad(\text{necessary.eigenvalue.condition})$$.

Again, I am less sure about 3. than about 2. and 1. (which needless to say, might contain some error somewhere, too; please use with care and check for yourselfyourself; in particular, it might be good to do a numerical check; I will have to go offline now).

1 This is not a "name", yet may lead the OP to useful relevant literature.

Francois Ziegler has already provided a very relevant answer.

Let me point out three further relevant things:

1. While the OP is not expressly interested in matrices with integer entries, a very relevant article nevertheless is W. Plesken: Solving $XX^{\mathrm{tr}}=A$ Over the Integers. Linear Algebra and its Applications. Volumes 226–228, September–October 1995, Pages 331-344. Therein, in is in particular proved (let $A=I$ and $X=U^{\mathrm{t}}$) that in the context of the OP

$U^{\mathrm{t}}U = I\quad$ ${}\quad$ if and only if${}\qquad\qquad$ $(U U^{\mathrm{t}})^2 = U U^{\mathrm{t}}$ $\quad$and$\quad$ $\mathrm{tr}( UU^{\mathrm{t}})=n$

$\color{white}{( U^{\mathrm{t}}U = I )}{}\quad$ if and only if${}\qquad\qquad$ $UU^{\mathrm{t}}$ is idempotent and has its trace equal to its rank

$\color{white}{( U^{\mathrm{t}}U = I )}{}\quad $ if and only if${}\qquad\qquad$ $UU^{\mathrm{t}}$ is idempotent,

where the first equivalence holds by Proposition 2.2 in loc. cit., the penultimate holds by a mere reformulation of the first-mentioned equivalence (note that the OP's hypotheses imply that $U U^{\mathrm{t}}$ has rank $n$), and the last step being a widely-known, not-quite-obvious fact from linear algebra (every idempotent matrix has its trace equal to its rank).

So we have shown:

The matrices of the OP are precisely those $U\in\mathbb{R}^{m\times n}$ for which $UU^T$ is an idempotent in the matrix ring $\mathrm{Mat}(m\times n;\mathbb{R})$.

2. Moreover, in the context defined by the OP we have:

If the OP's hypotheses are satisfied, then the Moore-Penrose pseudoinverse of $U$ equals the transpose of $U$. Conversely, if $U$ is a real matrix whose Moore-Penrose pseudoinverse equals its transpose, then the sum of the squares of the rank-sized minors equals $1$. 1

Proof of 2. By the usual formula,

$U^+ = \biggl(\overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}}\cdot U\biggr)^{-1}\cdot \overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}}\qquad\qquad$ (0).

Sufficiency: If the OP's hypotheses are satisfied, then $\overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}}\cdot U = \mathrm{Id}$ and $\overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}} = U^{\mathrm{t}}$, so (0) implies $U^+=U^{\mathrm{t}}$.

Necessity: Suppose conversely that $U^+=U^{\mathrm{t}}$. Then (0) implies that $U^{\mathrm{t}} = (U^{\mathrm{t}}U) U^{\mathrm{t}}$. This implies $U^{\mathrm{t}}U = ((U^{\mathrm{t}}U) U^{\mathrm{t}})\cdot(U(U^{\mathrm{t}}U))$ $=$ (by associativity) $=$ $( U^{\mathrm{t}}U)^3$, hence, applying the homomorphism $\det\colon \mathbb{R}^{m\times m}\to\mathbb{R}$ it follows that, abbreviating $d:=\mathrm{det}(U^{\mathrm{t}}U)$, we have $d = d^3$. Since the OP's hypotheses imply that $U^{\mathrm{t}}U\in\mathbb{R}^n$ has full rank $n$, we know that $d\neq 0$, and hence it follows that $1=d^2$, and hence $d\in\{-1,+1\}$; for further reference,

$\det(U^{\mathrm{t}}U)\in\{-1,1\}\qquad\qquad (1)$.

By the Cauchy-Binet-theorem, it follows from (1) that (in particular since sums of squares of real numbers are non-negative)

$$1 = \sum_{S:\quad\textsf{$n$-element subsets of $m$}} \det( U|_{S\times n})^2 $$

The completes the proof of 2.

3. If I don't misread some old notes of mine (which were written, however, in the context of incidence matrices of abstract simplicial complexes, and are not as carefully checked as I would like them to be), then 2. implies that:

If $e_n(x_1,\dotsc,x_m)$ denotes the $n$-th Elementary symmetric polynomial, and if $\lambda_1\geq\dotsc\geq\lambda_m$ denotes the eigenvalues of the symmetric matrix $UU^{\mathrm{t}}\in\mathbb{R}^{m\times m}$, then the OP's hypotheses imply that $$ 1 = e_n(\lambda_1,\dotsc,\lambda_m)\qquad\qquad(\text{necessary.eigenvalue.condition})$$.

Again, I am less sure about 3. than about 2. and 1. (which needless to say, might contain some error somewhere, too; please use with care and check for yourself).

1 This is not a "name", yet may lead the OP to useful relevant literature.

Francois Ziegler has already provided a very relevant answer.

Let me point out three further relevant things:

1. While the OP is not expressly interested in matrices with integer entries, a very relevant article nevertheless is W. Plesken: Solving $XX^{\mathrm{tr}}=A$ Over the Integers. Linear Algebra and its Applications. Volumes 226–228, September–October 1995, Pages 331-344. Therein, in is in particular proved (let $A=I$ and $X=U^{\mathrm{t}}$) that in the context of the OP

$U^{\mathrm{t}}U = I\quad$ ${}\quad$ if and only if${}\qquad\qquad$ $(U U^{\mathrm{t}})^2 = U U^{\mathrm{t}}$ $\quad$and$\quad$ $\mathrm{tr}( UU^{\mathrm{t}})=n$

$\color{white}{( U^{\mathrm{t}}U = I )}{}\quad$ if and only if${}\qquad\qquad$ $UU^{\mathrm{t}}$ is idempotent and has its trace equal to its rank

$\color{white}{( U^{\mathrm{t}}U = I )}{}\quad $ if and only if${}\qquad\qquad$ $UU^{\mathrm{t}}$ is idempotent,

where the first equivalence holds by Proposition 2.2 in loc. cit., the penultimate holds by a mere reformulation of the first-mentioned equivalence (note that the OP's hypotheses imply that $U U^{\mathrm{t}}$ has rank $n$), and the last step being a widely-known, not-quite-obvious fact from linear algebra (every idempotent matrix has its trace equal to its rank).

So we have shown:

The matrices of the OP are precisely those $U\in\mathbb{R}^{m\times n}$ for which $UU^T$ is an idempotent in the matrix ring $\mathrm{Mat}(m\times n;\mathbb{R})$.

2. Moreover, in the context defined by the OP we have:

If the OP's hypotheses are satisfied, then the Moore-Penrose pseudoinverse of $U$ equals the transpose of $U$. Conversely, if $U$ is a real matrix whose Moore-Penrose pseudoinverse equals its transpose, then the sum of the squares of the rank-sized minors equals $1$. 1

Proof of 2. By the usual formula,

$U^+ = \biggl(\overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}}\cdot U\biggr)^{-1}\cdot \overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}}\qquad\qquad$ (0).

Sufficiency: If the OP's hypotheses are satisfied, then $\overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}}\cdot U = \mathrm{Id}$ and $\overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}} = U^{\mathrm{t}}$, so (0) implies $U^+=U^{\mathrm{t}}$.

Necessity: Suppose conversely that $U^+=U^{\mathrm{t}}$. Then (0) implies that $U^{\mathrm{t}} = (U^{\mathrm{t}}U) U^{\mathrm{t}}$. This implies $U^{\mathrm{t}}U = ((U^{\mathrm{t}}U) U^{\mathrm{t}})\cdot(U(U^{\mathrm{t}}U))$ $=$ (by associativity) $=$ $( U^{\mathrm{t}}U)^3$, hence, applying the homomorphism $\det\colon \mathbb{R}^{m\times m}\to\mathbb{R}$ it follows that, abbreviating $d:=\mathrm{det}(U^{\mathrm{t}}U)$, we have $d = d^3$. Since the OP's hypotheses imply that $U^{\mathrm{t}}U\in\mathbb{R}^n$ has full rank $n$, we know that $d\neq 0$, and hence it follows that $1=d^2$, and hence $d\in\{-1,+1\}$; for further reference,

$\det(U^{\mathrm{t}}U)\in\{-1,1\}\qquad\qquad (1)$.

By the Cauchy-Binet-theorem, it follows from (1) that (in particular since sums of squares of real numbers are non-negative)

$$1 = \sum_{S:\quad\textsf{$n$-element subsets of $m$}} \det( U|_{S\times n})^2 $$

The completes the proof of 2.

3. If I don't misread some old notes of mine (which were written, however, in the context of incidence matrices of abstract simplicial complexes, and are not as carefully checked as I would like them to be), then 2. implies that:

If $e_n(x_1,\dotsc,x_m)$ denotes the $n$-th Elementary symmetric polynomial, and if $\lambda_1\geq\dotsc\geq\lambda_m$ denotes the eigenvalues of the symmetric matrix $UU^{\mathrm{t}}\in\mathbb{R}^{m\times m}$, then the OP's hypotheses imply that $$ 1 = e_n(\lambda_1,\dotsc,\lambda_m)\qquad\qquad(\text{necessary.eigenvalue.condition})$$.

Again, I am less sure about 3. than about 2. and 1. (which needless to say, might contain some error somewhere, too; please use with care and check for yourself; in particular, it might be good to do a numerical check; I will have to go offline now).

1 This is not a "name", yet may lead the OP to useful relevant literature.

Added a property that I conjecture to be a necessary one for the matrices the OP was asking about.
Source Link
Peter Heinig
  • 6.1k
  • 1
  • 27
  • 47

Francois Ziegler has already provided a very relevant answer.

Let me point out twothree further relevant things:

1. While the OP is not expressly interested in matrices with integer entries, a very relevant article nevertheless is W. Plesken: Solving $XX^{\mathrm{tr}}=A$ Over the Integers. Linear Algebra and its Applications. Volumes 226–228, September–October 1995, Pages 331-344. Therein, in is in particular proved (let $A=I$ and $X=U^{\mathrm{t}}$) that in the context of the OP

$U^{\mathrm{t}}U = I\quad$ ${}\quad$ if and only if${}\qquad\qquad$ $(U U^{\mathrm{t}})^2 = U U^{\mathrm{t}}$ $\quad$and$\quad$ $\mathrm{tr}( UU^{\mathrm{t}})=n$

$\color{white}{( U^{\mathrm{t}}U = I )}{}\quad$ if and only if${}\qquad\qquad$ $UU^{\mathrm{t}}$ is idempotent and has its trace equal to its rank

$\color{white}{( U^{\mathrm{t}}U = I )}{}\quad $ if and only if${}\qquad\qquad$ $UU^{\mathrm{t}}$ is idempotent,

where the first equivalence holds by Proposition 2.2 in loc. cit., the penultimate holds by a mere reformulation of the first-mentioned equivalence (note that the OP's hypotheses imply that $U U^{\mathrm{t}}$ has rank $n$), and the last step being a widely-known, not-quite-obvious fact from linear algebra (every idempotent matrix has its trace equal to its rank).

So we have shown:

The matrices of the OP are precisely those $U\in\mathbb{R}^{m\times n}$ for which $UU^T$ is an idempotent in the matrix ring $\mathrm{Mat}(m\times n;\mathbb{R})$.

2. Moreover, in the context defined by the OP we have:

If the OP's hypotheses are satisfied, then the Moore-Penrose pseudoinverse of $U$ equals the transpose of $U$. Conversely, if $U$ is a real matrix whose Moore-Penrose pseudoinverse equals its transpose, then the sum of the squares of the rank-sized minors equals $1$. 1

Proof of 2. By the usual formula,

$U^+ = \biggl(\overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}}\cdot U\biggr)^{-1}\cdot \overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}}\qquad\qquad$ (0).

Sufficiency: If the OP's hypotheses are satisfied, then $\overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}}\cdot U = \mathrm{Id}$ and $\overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}} = U^{\mathrm{t}}$, so (0) implies $U^+=U^{\mathrm{t}}$.

Necessity: Suppose conversely that $U^+=U^{\mathrm{t}}$. Then (0) implies that $U^{\mathrm{t}} = (U^{\mathrm{t}}U) U^{\mathrm{t}}$. This implies $U^{\mathrm{t}}U = ((U^{\mathrm{t}}U) U^{\mathrm{t}})\cdot(U(U^{\mathrm{t}}U))$ $=$ (by associativity) $=$ $( U^{\mathrm{t}}U)^3$, hence, applying the homomorphism $\det\colon \mathbb{R}^{m\times m}\to\mathbb{R}$ it follows that, abbreviating $d:=\mathrm{det}(U^{\mathrm{t}}U)$, we have $d = d^3$. Since the OP's hypotheses imply that $U^{\mathrm{t}}U\in\mathbb{R}^n$ has full rank $n$, we know that $d\neq 0$, and hence it follows that $1=d^2$, and hence $d\in\{-1,+1\}$; for further reference,

$\det(U^{\mathrm{t}}U)\in\{-1,1\}\qquad\qquad (1)$.

By the Cauchy-Binet-theorem, it follows from (1) that (in particular since sums of squares of real numbers are non-negative)

$$1 = \sum_{S:\quad\textsf{$n$-element subsets of $m$}} \det( U|_{S\times n})^2 $$

The completes the proof of 2.

3. If I don't misread some old notes of mine (which were written, however, in the context of incidence matrices of abstract simplicial complexes, and are not as carefully checked as I would like them to be), then 2. implies that:

If $e_n(x_1,\dotsc,x_m)$ denotes the $n$-th Elementary symmetric polynomial, and if $\lambda_1\geq\dotsc\geq\lambda_m$ denotes the eigenvalues of the symmetric matrix $UU^{\mathrm{t}}\in\mathbb{R}^{m\times m}$, then the OP's hypotheses imply that $$ 1 = e_n(\lambda_1,\dotsc,\lambda_m)\qquad\qquad(\text{necessary.eigenvalue.condition})$$.

Again, I am less sure about 3. than about 2. and 1. (which needless to say, might contain some error somewhere, too; please use with care and check for yourself).

1 This is not a "name", yet may lead the OP to useful relevant literature.

Francois Ziegler has already provided a very relevant answer.

Let me point out two further relevant things:

1. While the OP is not expressly interested in matrices with integer entries, a very relevant article nevertheless is W. Plesken: Solving $XX^{\mathrm{tr}}=A$ Over the Integers. Linear Algebra and its Applications. Volumes 226–228, September–October 1995, Pages 331-344. Therein, in is in particular proved (let $A=I$ and $X=U^{\mathrm{t}}$) that in the context of the OP

$U^{\mathrm{t}}U = I\quad$ ${}\quad$ if and only if${}\qquad\qquad$ $(U U^{\mathrm{t}})^2 = U U^{\mathrm{t}}$ $\quad$and$\quad$ $\mathrm{tr}( UU^{\mathrm{t}})=n$

$\color{white}{( U^{\mathrm{t}}U = I )}{}\quad$ if and only if${}\qquad\qquad$ $UU^{\mathrm{t}}$ is idempotent and has its trace equal to its rank

$\color{white}{( U^{\mathrm{t}}U = I )}{}\quad $ if and only if${}\qquad\qquad$ $UU^{\mathrm{t}}$ is idempotent,

where the first equivalence holds by Proposition 2.2 in loc. cit., the penultimate holds by a mere reformulation of the first-mentioned equivalence (note that the OP's hypotheses imply that $U U^{\mathrm{t}}$ has rank $n$), and the last step being a widely-known, not-quite-obvious fact from linear algebra (every idempotent matrix has its trace equal to its rank).

So we have shown:

The matrices of the OP are precisely those $U\in\mathbb{R}^{m\times n}$ for which $UU^T$ is an idempotent in the matrix ring $\mathrm{Mat}(m\times n;\mathbb{R})$.

2. Moreover, in the context defined by the OP we have:

If the OP's hypotheses are satisfied, then the Moore-Penrose pseudoinverse of $U$ equals the transpose of $U$. Conversely, if $U$ is a real matrix whose Moore-Penrose pseudoinverse equals its transpose, then the sum of the squares of the rank-sized minors equals $1$. 1

Proof of 2. By the usual formula,

$U^+ = \biggl(\overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}}\cdot U\biggr)^{-1}\cdot \overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}}\qquad\qquad$ (0).

Sufficiency: If the OP's hypotheses are satisfied, then $\overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}}\cdot U = \mathrm{Id}$ and $\overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}} = U^{\mathrm{t}}$, so (0) implies $U^+=U^{\mathrm{t}}$.

Necessity: Suppose conversely that $U^+=U^{\mathrm{t}}$. Then (0) implies that $U^{\mathrm{t}} = (U^{\mathrm{t}}U) U^{\mathrm{t}}$. This implies $U^{\mathrm{t}}U = ((U^{\mathrm{t}}U) U^{\mathrm{t}})\cdot(U(U^{\mathrm{t}}U))$ $=$ (by associativity) $=$ $( U^{\mathrm{t}}U)^3$, hence, applying the homomorphism $\det\colon \mathbb{R}^{m\times m}\to\mathbb{R}$ it follows that, abbreviating $d:=\mathrm{det}(U^{\mathrm{t}}U)$, we have $d = d^3$. Since the OP's hypotheses imply that $U^{\mathrm{t}}U\in\mathbb{R}^n$ has full rank $n$, we know that $d\neq 0$, and hence it follows that $1=d^2$, and hence $d\in\{-1,+1\}$; for further reference,

$\det(U^{\mathrm{t}}U)\in\{-1,1\}\qquad\qquad (1)$.

By the Cauchy-Binet-theorem, it follows from (1) that (in particular since sums of squares of real numbers are non-negative)

$$1 = \sum_{S:\quad\textsf{$n$-element subsets of $m$}} \det( U|_{S\times n})^2 $$

The completes the proof of 2.

1 This is not a "name", yet may lead the OP to useful relevant literature.

Francois Ziegler has already provided a very relevant answer.

Let me point out three further relevant things:

1. While the OP is not expressly interested in matrices with integer entries, a very relevant article nevertheless is W. Plesken: Solving $XX^{\mathrm{tr}}=A$ Over the Integers. Linear Algebra and its Applications. Volumes 226–228, September–October 1995, Pages 331-344. Therein, in is in particular proved (let $A=I$ and $X=U^{\mathrm{t}}$) that in the context of the OP

$U^{\mathrm{t}}U = I\quad$ ${}\quad$ if and only if${}\qquad\qquad$ $(U U^{\mathrm{t}})^2 = U U^{\mathrm{t}}$ $\quad$and$\quad$ $\mathrm{tr}( UU^{\mathrm{t}})=n$

$\color{white}{( U^{\mathrm{t}}U = I )}{}\quad$ if and only if${}\qquad\qquad$ $UU^{\mathrm{t}}$ is idempotent and has its trace equal to its rank

$\color{white}{( U^{\mathrm{t}}U = I )}{}\quad $ if and only if${}\qquad\qquad$ $UU^{\mathrm{t}}$ is idempotent,

where the first equivalence holds by Proposition 2.2 in loc. cit., the penultimate holds by a mere reformulation of the first-mentioned equivalence (note that the OP's hypotheses imply that $U U^{\mathrm{t}}$ has rank $n$), and the last step being a widely-known, not-quite-obvious fact from linear algebra (every idempotent matrix has its trace equal to its rank).

So we have shown:

The matrices of the OP are precisely those $U\in\mathbb{R}^{m\times n}$ for which $UU^T$ is an idempotent in the matrix ring $\mathrm{Mat}(m\times n;\mathbb{R})$.

2. Moreover, in the context defined by the OP we have:

If the OP's hypotheses are satisfied, then the Moore-Penrose pseudoinverse of $U$ equals the transpose of $U$. Conversely, if $U$ is a real matrix whose Moore-Penrose pseudoinverse equals its transpose, then the sum of the squares of the rank-sized minors equals $1$. 1

Proof of 2. By the usual formula,

$U^+ = \biggl(\overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}}\cdot U\biggr)^{-1}\cdot \overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}}\qquad\qquad$ (0).

Sufficiency: If the OP's hypotheses are satisfied, then $\overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}}\cdot U = \mathrm{Id}$ and $\overline{U}^{\mathrm{t}} = U^{\mathrm{t}}$, so (0) implies $U^+=U^{\mathrm{t}}$.

Necessity: Suppose conversely that $U^+=U^{\mathrm{t}}$. Then (0) implies that $U^{\mathrm{t}} = (U^{\mathrm{t}}U) U^{\mathrm{t}}$. This implies $U^{\mathrm{t}}U = ((U^{\mathrm{t}}U) U^{\mathrm{t}})\cdot(U(U^{\mathrm{t}}U))$ $=$ (by associativity) $=$ $( U^{\mathrm{t}}U)^3$, hence, applying the homomorphism $\det\colon \mathbb{R}^{m\times m}\to\mathbb{R}$ it follows that, abbreviating $d:=\mathrm{det}(U^{\mathrm{t}}U)$, we have $d = d^3$. Since the OP's hypotheses imply that $U^{\mathrm{t}}U\in\mathbb{R}^n$ has full rank $n$, we know that $d\neq 0$, and hence it follows that $1=d^2$, and hence $d\in\{-1,+1\}$; for further reference,

$\det(U^{\mathrm{t}}U)\in\{-1,1\}\qquad\qquad (1)$.

By the Cauchy-Binet-theorem, it follows from (1) that (in particular since sums of squares of real numbers are non-negative)

$$1 = \sum_{S:\quad\textsf{$n$-element subsets of $m$}} \det( U|_{S\times n})^2 $$

The completes the proof of 2.

3. If I don't misread some old notes of mine (which were written, however, in the context of incidence matrices of abstract simplicial complexes, and are not as carefully checked as I would like them to be), then 2. implies that:

If $e_n(x_1,\dotsc,x_m)$ denotes the $n$-th Elementary symmetric polynomial, and if $\lambda_1\geq\dotsc\geq\lambda_m$ denotes the eigenvalues of the symmetric matrix $UU^{\mathrm{t}}\in\mathbb{R}^{m\times m}$, then the OP's hypotheses imply that $$ 1 = e_n(\lambda_1,\dotsc,\lambda_m)\qquad\qquad(\text{necessary.eigenvalue.condition})$$.

Again, I am less sure about 3. than about 2. and 1. (which needless to say, might contain some error somewhere, too; please use with care and check for yourself).

1 This is not a "name", yet may lead the OP to useful relevant literature.

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Peter Heinig
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