2D Fourier transform of Coulomb potenial

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the 2D Fourier transform of the Coulomb potential, specifically focusing on the integral involving the expression \(\int \mathrm{d}^2x \frac{1}{|\mathbf{x}|} e^{- \mathrm{i} \mathbf{q} \cdot \mathbf{x}}\). Participants are exploring the differences between 2D and 3D cases in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the integral's evaluation, with some suggesting the use of polar coordinates. Questions arise about the methods attempted and the specific details of the integral's evaluation.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of the integral's properties, with participants providing hints and suggestions for approaches. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of Bessel functions and the transformation to polar coordinates, but no consensus has been reached on the solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the difference in convergence between the 2D and 3D cases, as well as the potential need for additional details on the differential equations related to Bessel functions.

realtrip
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The result is well known, but i need more details about the integral below
[tex] \int \mathrm{d}^2x \frac{1}{|\mathbf{x}|} e^{- \mathrm{i} \mathbf{q} \cdot \mathbf{x}} = \frac{2 \pi}{q}[/tex]

I've done the Fourier transform of the Coulomb potential in 3D. But failed to get the right answer in 2D.

I did only a few practice about 2D integrals. Will anyone show me more details about it?

Thanks in advance!
 
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realtrip said:
The result is well known, but i need more details about the integral below
[tex] \int \mathrm{d}^2x \frac{1}{|\mathbf{x}|} e^{- \mathrm{i} \mathbf{q} \cdot \mathbf{x}} = \frac{2 \pi}{q}[/tex]

I've done the Fourier transform of the Coulomb potential in 3D. But failed to get the right answer in 2D.

Well, what did you try? Show us your attempt.
 
A little too long, and no latex in this computer.

So, i upload a screenshot in the attachment.

Thanks!
 

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Yuck!:wink:

I wouldn't write the complex exponential in terms of sines and cosines if I were you. Instead, just switch to polar coordinates right away (with your coordinate system chosen so that [itex]\textbf{q}[/itex] points in the positive x-direction) to get:

[tex]\oint d^2 x \frac{e^{-i\textbf{q}\cdot\textbf{x}}}{|\textbf{x}|}=\int_0^\infty dr \left(\int_0^{2\pi} e^{-iqr\cos\theta}d\theta \right)[/tex]

If you don't immediately recognize the angular integral, try defining [itex]\overline{r}=qr[/itex] and compute the first two derivatives of the integral w.r.t [itex]\overline{q}[/itex] to show that it satisfies a well known differential equation...:wink:
 
Also, unlike the 3D case, the integral converges without treating the coulomb potential as a limiting case of the Yukawa potential.
 
Thanks for your reply.

I'm not sure whether you want me to do the second derivatives of the angular integral w.r.t [itex]\overline{r}=qr[/itex] or something else. If i haven't misunderstood, I'm sorry to tell you that i really don't know what the well known differential equation is...

Would you give me a little more details? Thanks a lot!
 
Well, I'll tell you that [tex]\int_0^{2\pi} e^{-i\overline{r}\cos\theta}d\theta=2\pi J_0(\overline{r})[/tex]...as for proving it, I'll leave that to you (Hint: What differential equation does the [itex]n=0[/itex] Bessel function of the 1st kind satisfy?)...
 
Thank you very much!
 

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