Computing integrals on the half line

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating integrals of the form \(\int_{0}^{\infty}\frac{e^{ikx}}{ak^{2}+bk+c}dk\), particularly in the context of fluid dynamics. Participants explore methods for computing these integrals using residue calculus and discuss the appropriate contours for integration.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes using residue calculus to evaluate the integral but is uncertain about the correct contour to use.
  • Another participant suggests a punctured disc contour, specifically \(C_{\epsilon}\cup[\epsilon,R]\cup C_R\), for the integration.
  • A different participant notes that the modulus of \(e^{ikx}\) indicates potential divergence when closing the contour in certain half-planes, depending on the sign of \(x\).
  • Another participant introduces the inverse Fourier transform of the Heaviside step function and discusses its relevance to the integral, suggesting a substitution that involves changing the order of integration.
  • A participant requests clarification on the substitution method and the contour of integration, indicating some confusion about the previous explanations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the appropriate contour for integration and the implications of the modulus of \(e^{ikx}\) on convergence. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing approaches and interpretations presented.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions made about the behavior of the integral at infinity and the conditions under which the contour is closed. The discussion also highlights the dependence on the variable \(x\) being real.

hunt_mat
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Hi,

In my fluids work I have come to integrals of the type:
<br /> \int_{0}^{\infty}\frac{e^{ikx}}{ak^{2}+bk+c}dk<br />
I was thinking of evaluating this via residue calculus but I can't think of the right contour, any suggestions?

Mat
 
Last edited:
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Try the punctured disc with boundary ##C_{\epsilon}\cup[\epsilon,R]\cup C_R.##
 

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Notice that \vert e^{i \, k \, x} \vert = e^{-x \, \mathrm{Im}k}. This means that the integral would diverge when we take the circle at infinity on the lower (upper) semicircle for positive (negative) x.
 
Notice that the inverse Fourier transform of the Heaviside step function:
<br /> \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}{\frac{d k}{2\pi} \, \theta(k) \, e^{i \, k \, x}} = -\frac{1}{2\pi \, i \, x}, \ \mathrm{Im}x &gt; 0<br />
Thus, we may represent the Heaviside step function as:
<br /> \theta(k) = -\frac{1}{2\pi \, i} \, {d t \, \frac{e^{-i \, k \, t}{t + i \, \eta}}, \ \eta \rightarrow +0<br />

Why do we need it? Because your integral goes to:
<br /> \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}{f(k) \, e^{i \, k \, x} \, \theta(k)}<br />
If you substitute the integral representation for the step function and change the order of integration, you should get:
<br /> -\frac{1}{2\pi \, i} \, \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}{\frac{d t}{t + i \, \eta} \, \int_{-\infty}{\infty}{f(k) \, e^{i \, k \, (x - t)}}}<br />
Now, you may use the residue theorem for the integral over k, but you need to close the contour in different half-planes, depending on whetgher x &gt; t or x &lt; t. The remaining integral over t is again over the whole real line, but , due to the above conditions, should be split into -\infty to x, and from x to \infty]. Then, making a sub
 
I should point out that x\in\mathbb{R}

Dick, can you explain the substitution again, I don't quite get what you're doing here and you still haven't mentioned the contour you're integrating over.
 

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