3D-Fourier Transform of a delta-function?

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The discussion focuses on calculating the integral of a delta function multiplied by an exponential term in spherical coordinates. The user initially struggles with integrating over the angular components and expresses confusion about the role of the delta function in three dimensions. It is clarified that the delta function should be treated as one-dimensional in the context of the three-dimensional integral, leading to some confusion regarding variable definitions. Ultimately, the user resolves the issue by adjusting their coordinate system to simplify the problem, realizing that aligning the k vector with the z-axis makes the integration straightforward. The conversation highlights common challenges in applying delta functions in multi-dimensional integrals, particularly in physics contexts.
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Homework Statement


hi
im trying to the integral int(delta(r-b)*exp(ikr)d^3r). but I am not really getting anywhere.
I´m trying to integrate over all space in spherical coordinates.
The r part is easy i just do:

delta(r-b)*exp(ikr)r^2*sin(a)*b*dr*da*db -> b^2*exp(ikb*cos(someangle??)*sin(a)*da*db

(sorry that i´m not familiar with tex :( )

I kinda need some help how to do the angular part.
My idea was that the solution should not invole the angles in any sense that´s sure and i think that it´s some kind of trigonometric function but i got no clue how to get somewhere i have some feeling that it´s somethink link sin(bk) * normalization factor but how to get there ?

Any help would be appreciated
thanks :)
 
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The whole purpose in life of a delta function is to satisfy the condition int(delta(x-a)*f(x))=f(a). So your integral had better come out to be exp(ikb).
 
but I am integrating in polar coordinates not in one dimension?
my intetgral (leaving out angular parts!) is int(delta(x-b) * exp(ikx))*r^2 dr isn`t it ?
 
If it's a real 3d delta function the coordinates can't matter, can they?
 
hmm yes but it`s a one dimensional delta function in front of a 3d object so you got to take that into account and take dV=r^2*sin(a)*da*db don't you ?
 
Ok, so it's a delta over the coordinate r, not the vector r integrated d^3r. Then what's exp(ikr)? Is r the coordinate r or is it a dot product? If the latter then you have more than one meaning for r in your expression.
 
oh yea sorry for that it think i wrote that somehere in parentesis :)
But youre right i got 2 meanings for one variable sorry :(
you got any idea how to solve that anyways can´t find any solution anywhere even though it seems to be a pretty common problem in stat. mechanics :(
 
:D can be deleted i solved it was really easy just hat to set my coordinate system so that k hat only a z-component :)
 

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