Undergrad Fourier transform of Dirac delta

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SUMMARY

The Fourier transform of the Dirac delta function, represented as F(k) = ∫ e^{-ikx} (δ(x+d) + δ(x-d)) dx, results in F(k) = e^{ikd} + e^{-ikd}. The solution simplifies to 2cos(kd) when applying the convention of including a coefficient of 1/√(2π) in both the forward and inverse transforms. This convention is preferred in mathematical contexts for its isometric properties in L2 space, while engineers often use a simpler convention without the coefficient. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding different conventions in Fourier transforms.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Fourier transforms and their mathematical definitions
  • Familiarity with Dirac delta functions and their properties
  • Knowledge of L2 space and square-integrable functions
  • Basic trigonometric identities and their applications in transforms
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the different conventions of Fourier transforms, focusing on the 1/√(2π) coefficient
  • Study the properties of Dirac delta functions in the context of Fourier analysis
  • Explore the implications of isometries in L2 space for Fourier transforms
  • Learn about the applications of Fourier transforms in engineering versus mathematical contexts
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Mathematicians, physicists, engineers, and students studying Fourier analysis who seek to understand the implications of different conventions in Fourier transforms and their applications in various fields.

spacetimedude
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In lectures, I have learned that F(k)= \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} e^{-ikx}f(x)dx where F(k) is the Fourier transform of f(x) and the inverse Fourier transform is f(x)= \frac{1}{2\pi}\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} e^{ikx}f(k)dk .
But on the same chapter in the lecture notes, there is an example solving for the Fourier transform of f(x)=(\delta(x+d))+(\delta(x-d)).
I set the transform as F(k)= \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} e^{-ikx}(\delta(x+d))+(\delta(x-d))dxSplitting the integral into two and using the sifting property, I got F(k)=e^{ikd}+e^{-ikd} But the solution has \frac{1}{\sqrt{2\pi}} in front, hence from there they used the trig identity to get it in terms of cosine.
I searched on google and there seems to be different conventions on the transform. But I am only familiar with the one I mentioned. How can I get to the solution using the integral form I used?
 
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Hmm, it could be that he used a different convention just for this problem. Is my solution still a valid answer?
 
spacetimedude said:
Hmm, it could be that he used a different convention just for this problem. Is my solution still a valid answer?
Actually from what I see the answer is 2\cos(kd), but depending on the convention used you can have \frac{1}{\sqrt{2\pi}} in front of both the forward and backward transforms.
 
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Yes, the 1/√2π convention that Septim mentions is used by the more mathematically oriented scientists, since in that case both the Fourier transform and its inverse are isometries on the space L2 of square-integrable functions, which is often a very convenient thing to have.*

The other most common convention, with no coefficient (okay, it's actually 1) in the forward transform tends to be preferred by engineers, who then don't have to worry about any coefficient every time they do a (forward) transform, and never have to worry about a square root even with the inverse transform.

___________________
* Technically, any two square-integrable functions are considered to be the same in L2 if they differ only on a set of measure 0. Thus L2 is not precisely a set of functions, but rather a set of equivalence classes.
 
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