Graduate Fourier transform equation question

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on proving the Fourier transform equation in quantum field theory (QFT), specifically the integral involving the exponential function and its relation to the derivative of a function. The key equation derived is $$\int d^3x \int \frac{d^3k}{(2\pi)^3} e^{i\mathbf{k} \cdot (\mathbf{x} - \mathbf{y})} k_j f(\mathbf{x}) = i \frac{df}{dx_j}(\mathbf{y})$$. The participants clarify that the term involving the total derivative vanishes under the assumption that the function approaches zero at infinity, which is a common practice in the context of Fourier transforms.

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  • Understanding of quantum field theory (QFT)
  • Familiarity with Fourier transforms and their properties
  • Knowledge of partial and total derivatives
  • Basic concepts of integrals in multiple dimensions
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Fosheimdet
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In my QFT homework I was asked to prove that $$\int d^3x \int \frac{d^3k}{(2\pi)^3} e^{i\mathbf{k} \cdot (\mathbf{x} - \mathbf{y})} k_j f(\mathbf{x}) = i \frac{df}{dx_j}(\mathbf{y}) $$

Using ##\frac{\partial e^{i\mathbf{k} \cdot (\mathbf{x} - \mathbf{y})}}{\partial x^j} = i k_j e^{i\mathbf{k} \cdot (\mathbf{x} - \mathbf{y})}##, the solution is as follows

$$\int d^3x \int \frac{d^3k}{(2\pi)^3} e^{i\mathbf{k} \cdot (\mathbf{x} - \mathbf{y})} k_j f(\mathbf{x}) = -i \int d^3x \int \frac{d^3k}{(2\pi)^3} \frac{\partial e^{i\mathbf{k} \cdot (\mathbf{x} - \mathbf{y})}}{\partial x^j} f(\mathbf{x}) $$

$$ = -i \int d^3x \int \frac{d^3k}{(2\pi)^3} \left( \frac{\partial}{\partial x^j} (e^{i\mathbf{k} \cdot (\mathbf{x} - \mathbf{y})}f(\mathbf{x}) ) - \frac{\partial f(\mathbf x)}{\partial x^j} e^{i\mathbf k \cdot (\mathbf x - \mathbf y)}\right) $$

$$ = i \int d^3x \frac{\partial f(\mathbf x) }{\partial x^j} \int \frac{d^3k}{(2\pi)^3} e^{i\mathbf k \cdot (\mathbf x - \mathbf y)} $$

$$= i \int d^3x \frac{\partial f(\mathbf x)}{\partial x^j} \delta^{(3)}(\mathbf x - \mathbf y) = i \frac{\partial f(\mathbf x)}{\partial x^j} \bigg|_{\mathbf x = \mathbf y}$$

I don't understand what happened to the first term on the RHS of the second equation. Why is ##-i\int d^3x \int \frac{d^3k}{(2\pi)^3} \frac{\partial}{\partial x^j} (e^{i\mathbf{k} \cdot (\mathbf{x} - \mathbf{y})}f(\mathbf{x}))=0?##
 
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It is a total derivative and the function is assumed to go to zero sufficiently fast at infinity.
 
Orodruin said:
It is a total derivative and the function is assumed to go to zero sufficiently fast at infinity.
How is it a total derivative though? Isn't ##\frac {\partial}{\partial x^j}## a partial derivative? Also, why can you make the assumption that the function goes to zero at infinity?
 
Being a total derivative does not prevent being a partial derivative. It just means that the integrand is a derivative of some function.

An assumption is an assumption. We typically choose to work with such functions. It is related to the domain of the Fourier transform.
 

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