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For a generalized singular vector, exact data $f=\gamma K{u}_{\lambda }$, and fixed $\alpha >0$, a compatible branch of Bregman iteration has $p^k=\min \{k\gamma /\alpha ,\lambda \}{K}^{\ast }K{u}_{\lambda }$ and the displayed $u^k$. Verify these formulas with the subgradient characterization of an absolutely one-homogeneous functional; before activation the dual coefficient remains at most $\lambda$, and after activation it is $\lambda$. The branch reaches $\gamma u_{\lambda }$ at $k_{\ast }=\lceil \alpha \lambda /\gamma \rceil +1$. Every minimizer branch has the same predicted data, since the quadratic data fidelity is strictly convex in $Ku$. Exact recovery of this particular vector for arbitrary branch choices needs uniqueness, for example injectivity of $K$. For $K(x,y)=x$ and $J(x,y)=|x|$, the second coordinate of every minimizer is arbitrary.

A nonzero $u$ satisfying this relation, with $Ku\ne 0$, generalizes the eigenfunction of an absolutely one-homogeneous functional to the quadratic geometry induced by the forward map. Pairing with $u$ yields $\lambda =J(u)/\Vert Ku{\Vert }^2$. With unit data norm it is a generalized singular vector. If $\lambda >0$, $0\le \alpha \lambda \le 1$ and the exact data are $Ku$, the vector $(1-\alpha \lambda )u$ minimizes the quadratic variational regularization objective. Substitute its raywise subgradient into the subgradient optimality condition. Every minimizing branch has the same predicted data, and injectivity of $K$ gives equality of vectors. The Bregman distance along this ray is zero even though the reconstruction is shrunk. For nonnegative $J$ the branch continues as $(1-\alpha \lambda {)}_{+}u$; nonnegativity supplies $0\in \partial J(0)$ for the threshold argument.

Background on these generalized singular vectors: Benning and Burger, Ground States and Singular Vectors of Convex Variational Regularization Methods.

The relevant nonlinear generalized singular vector relation, without imposing unit-data normalization, isThis is a generalized eigenfunction in the forward-operator metric, rather than a distributional generalized eigenfunction of a linear operator. It supplies the normal-operator source condition with $v=\lambda u^{†}$. For a convex positively one-homogeneous functional, the subgradient inequality applied at zero and at $2u^{†}$ gives $⟨p,u^{†}⟩=J(u^{†})$. If $K{u}^{†}\ne 0$, thenAssume the usual positive eigenvalue $\lambda >0$ and $0<\alpha \lambda \le 1$. By positive homogeneity,The shifted-comparator Bregman bound therefore yieldsThe vector $(1-\alpha \lambda )u^{†}$ is itself a minimizer: $p$ remains a subgradient along the nonnegative ray, and substitution satisfies the subgradient optimality condition. If $K$ is injective, this also proves $u_{\alpha }=(1-\alpha \lambda )u^{†}$. Otherwise distinct minimizers can differ in the kernel while sharing the same predicted data.

For a nonnegative convex positively one-homogeneous functional, the branch continues as $(1-\alpha \lambda {)}_{+}{u}^{†}$ above the threshold, since $p/(\alpha \lambda )\in \partial J(0)$ there. Nonnegativity is needed for that clipping argument; bare positive homogeneity allows signed linear functionals.

Zero Bregman distance does not imply exact recovery. For $K=I$, $J(s)=|s|$, $u^{†}=a>0$ and $0<\alpha <a$, the minimizer is $u_{\alpha }=a-\alpha \ne a$, but $D_J^1(a-\alpha ,a)=0$. Both points touch the same supporting line, as described by zero Bregman distance and supporting faces.

Use the standard bounded linear operator setting for $K:U\to V$, so the adjoint operator $K^{\ast }:V\to U^{\ast }$ in the updates is defined on every datum. Put $q=K^{\ast }K{u}_{\lambda }$. The generalized singular vector relation is $\lambda q\in \partial J(u_{\lambda })$ with $\Vert K{u}_{\lambda }\Vert =1$ and $\lambda =J(u_{\lambda })\ge 0$. For an absolutely one-homogeneous functional, a subgradient $p$ at $u$ is characterized by $⟨p,u⟩=J(u)$ and $⟨p,v⟩\le J(v)$ for all $v$. Consequently $\lambda q$ is also a subgradient at every positive multiple of $u_{\lambda }$, and $bq\in \partial J(0)$ for every $0\le b\le \lambda$.

Use the initialization $u^0=p^0=0$ and start the first update at $k=0$; the PDF lists $k=1,2,\dots$ despite specifying only index-zero initial data. Suppose $p^k=b_{k}q$ with $0\le b_k\le \lambda$. DefineIf it is positive, $u^{k+1}=c_{k+1}{u}_{\lambda }$ and $p^{k+1}=\lambda q$ satisfy the optimality equation and the dual update. If it is zero, take $u^{k+1}=0$ and $p^{k+1}=(b_k+\gamma /\alpha )q\in \partial J(0)$. Thus this compatible branch hasInduction proves the finite termination of Bregman iteration on a singular vector formulasOnce the dual coefficient reaches $\lambda$, the next reconstruction is $\gamma u_{\lambda }$. Therefore a guaranteed stopping index for this branch isThe formulas also cover $\lambda =0$, where exact reconstruction occurs at the first update. The subgradient conditions are sufficient for global minimization because each objective is convex.

There is a genuine uniqueness issue in the printed claim about arbitrary iterates. Strict convexity of data fidelity in $Ku$ ensures that any two minimizers at a given step have the same image under $K$. Induction therefore makes every minimizer branch have the same dual variables and attain exact data at the stated finite index. It does not make their states equal to the specified $\gamma u_{\lambda }$ if $K$ has a null space.

For a counterexample take $U={\mathbb{R}}^2$, $V=\mathbb{R}$, $K(x,y)=x$, $J(x,y)=|x|$, $u_{\lambda }=(1,0)$, and $\lambda =1$. Every step leaves $y$ completely unconstrained. Choosing the minimizing state's second coordinate to be $k$ gives valid updates and subgradients but never reaches $(\gamma ,0)$ and does not converge as a state sequence. Thus finite exact-data recovery holds for all minimizer branches; exact recovery of the stated vector needs uniqueness or the aligned branch. If $K$ is injective, equal reconstructed data identify the state, and the literal vector conclusion follows.