In this note we take a new look at the local convergence of alternating
optimization methods for low-rank matrices and tensors. Our abstract
interpretation as sequential optimization on moving subspaces yields insightful
reformulations of some known convergence conditions that focus on the interplay
between the contractivity of classical multiplicative Schwarz methods with
overlapping subspaces and the curvature of low-rank matrix and tensor
manifolds. While the verification of the abstract conditions in concrete
scenarios remains open in most cases, we are able to provide an alternative and
conceptually simple derivation of the asymptotic convergence rate of the
two-sided block power method of numerical algebra for computing the dominant
singular subspaces of a rectangular matrix. This method is equivalent to an
alternating least squares method applied to a distance function. The
theoretical results are illustrated and validated by numerical experiments.Comment: 20 pages, 4 figure
