Asymptotic Behavior of Modified Bessel Functions

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter stevendaryl
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Closed Form Integral
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the integral \( f(x) = \int_{-\infty}^{+\infty} \frac{e^{iux}}{\sqrt{u^2 + 1}} du \), specifically exploring whether it has a closed-form solution and examining its asymptotic behavior. The conversation includes aspects of complex analysis and special functions, particularly modified Bessel functions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the existence of a closed-form solution for the integral and its asymptotic behavior.
  • Another participant references a differential equation \( f''(x) - f(x) = \delta(x) \) in relation to the integral.
  • A participant discusses using contour integration for \( x > 0 \) and \( x < 0 \), suggesting that the integral may yield different results based on the contour chosen, but expresses uncertainty regarding the treatment of the square root in the denominator.
  • Some participants identify the integral as related to modified Bessel functions of the second kind \( K_0(x) \), referencing external sources for further information.
  • One participant acknowledges a mistake regarding the symmetry of the integral, noting that the imaginary part vanishes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the integral's properties and methods of evaluation, with no consensus reached on a closed-form solution or the implications of the asymptotic behavior.

Contextual Notes

Some participants indicate limitations in their understanding of complex variable residue theory and the implications of the square root in the denominator, which may affect the conclusions drawn about the integral.

stevendaryl
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
Insights Author
Messages
8,943
Reaction score
2,955
Does anyone know whether the following integral has a closed-form solution? If not, is anything known about the asymptotic behavior?

f(x) = \int_{-\infty}^{+\infty} \frac{e^{iux}}{\sqrt{u^2 + 1}} du
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Does it help that ##f''(x)-f(x)=\delta(x)##?

Oops missed the square root
 
I don't know the complex variable residue theory as well as I should, but for x>0, I think the contour closes in the upper half plane and has a single pole at z=+i inside the contour so that ## f(x)=2 \pi i exp(-x) ##. For x<0, the contour would close in the lower half plane with a pole at z=-i and the counterclockwise path would give a minus sign, so that ## f(x)=-2 \pi i exp(+x) ##. I'm not sure about this function with the sqrt. in the denominator is considered to have simple poles. Perhaps @micromass can answer that. editing... and I missed the term of sqrt (2i) in the denominator for the part without the pole. Will need to research this further...editing ... multiplying numerator and denominator by sqrt (u^2+1) gives the function simple poles, but I'm still at the drawing board=perhaps there is a simple solution... editing... thought I had a possible answer, but still at the drawing board...
 
Last edited:
It is modified Bessel functions of the second kind ##K_0(x)## (I assume ##z=x## in your integral), see, for example, here, equation (6). You should find a lot of information about Bessel functions (as well as about all other special functions) in Abramowitz and Stegun.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Paul Colby and Charles Link
Hawkeye18 said:
It is modified Bessel functions of the second kind ##K_0(x)## (I assume ##z=x## in your integral), see, for example, here, equation (6). You should find a lot of information about Bessel functions (as well as about all other special functions) in Abramowitz and Stegun.

Thanks. I should have noticed that the imaginary part of my integral vanishes by symmetry.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
4K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
5K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K