Calculating Coherence Time: Understanding the Relationship Between g(t) and t_c

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating coherence time (t_c) using the function g(t) = e^{\frac{-|t|}{t_c}}. The integral to verify is t_c = ∫_{-\infty}^\infty |g(t)|^2 dt. The user encounters issues with the integral, noting that it diverges when evaluated from negative to positive infinity and mistakenly believes the indefinite integral equals t instead of t_c. Clarifications indicate that the user failed to correctly square the function g(t) in the integral calculation.

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Homework Statement



I have the complex term g(t) = e^{\frac{-|t|}{t_c}} which is the degree of the coherence.


Homework Equations



Now I want to verify that:

t_c = \int_{-\infty}^\infty \! |g(t)|^2 \, dt


The Attempt at a Solution



\int_{-\infty}^\infty \! |g(t)|^2 \, dt = \int_{-\infty}^\infty \! |e^{\frac{-|t|}{t_c}}|^2 \, dt = \int_{-\infty}^\infty \! e^{\frac{-|t|}{t_c}} e^{\frac{|t|}{t_c}} \, dt = \int_{-\infty}^\infty \! 1 \, dt

2 Problems now.

First: The integral doesn't have a value if I integrate from - infinity to infinity.
Second: The value of the indefinite integral is t. Not t_c.

What am I missing here?
 
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You didn't multiply ##e^{-\frac{|t|}{t_c}}## by itself. Instead, the second multiplier misses the negative sign. Check your work carefully and try again evaluating the integral.
 
Huh? I'm really missing something here.

|z|^2 = z z^*

So if in my case z = e^{\frac{-|t|}{t_c}} then

z^* = e^{\frac{|t|}{t_c}}

Or not?
 

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