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Carlo Beenakker
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Since $\sigma_1^2=\lambda_+$ and $\sigma_2^2=\lambda_-$ are the two eigenvalues of the symmetric matrix product $MM^t$, we have $\lambda_++\lambda_-={\rm tr}\,MM^t=\|m_1\|^2+\|m_2\|^2$. Hence we may write WLOG $$\lambda_\pm=\tfrac{1}{2}\left(\|m_1\|^2+\|m_2\|^2\right)\pm\Delta.$$ To determine $\Delta>0$ we equate $${\rm det}\,MM^t=(m_1\times m_2)^2=\|m_1\|^2\|m_2\|^2\sin^2\measuredangle \left( m_1, m_2 \right)$$ to $$\lambda_+\lambda_-=\tfrac{1}{4}\left(\|m_1\|^2+\|m_2\|^2\right)^2-\Delta^2,$$ hence $$\lambda_\pm=\tfrac{1}{2}\left(\|m_1\|^2+\|m_2\|^2\right)\pm\sqrt{\tfrac{1}{4}\left(\|m_1\|^2+\|m_2\|^2\right)^2-\|m_1\|^2\|m_2\|^2\sin^2\measuredangle \left( m_1, m_2 \right)}$$ $$\qquad=\tfrac{1}{2}\left(\|m_1\|^2+\|m_2\|^2\right)\pm\sqrt{\tfrac{1}{4}\left(\|m_1\|^2-\|m_2\|^2\right)^2+\|m_1\|^2\|m_2\|^2\cos^2\measuredangle \left( m_1, m_2 \right)}.$$ I checked that this expression agrees with a direct calculation of the eigenvalues of $MM^t$, so I'm confident it is correct.

It differs from the result in the OP, which I think is incorrect. Let me check the simple case $$M=\begin{pmatrix} 1&1\\ 0&1 \end{pmatrix},\;\;\sigma_1^2=\tfrac{3}{2}+\tfrac{1}{2}\sqrt 5,\;\;\sigma_2^2=\tfrac{3}{2}+\tfrac{1}{2}\sqrt 5.$$ Since the angle between the vectors $m_1={1\choose 0}$ and $m_2={1\choose 1}$ is $\pi/4$, the formula in the OP would give $\sigma_1^2=1+\sqrt 2$ and $\sigma_2^2=\sqrt 2$, which is incorrect, while the formula above does give the correct answer for $\sigma_1^2=\lambda_+$ and $\sigma_2^2=\lambda_-$.

Carlo Beenakker
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