Fourier Transform of product of heaviside step function and another function

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a damped harmonic oscillator driven by a force defined as f(t)=h(t) t^2 Exp(-t), where h(t) is a Heaviside step function. The task is to find the oscillator's response, x(t), using Fourier transforms and inverse transforms, given specific initial conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss taking the Fourier transform of the function f(t) and express difficulties with convergence when applying integration by parts. There are inquiries about general methods for transforming functions involving the Heaviside step function.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights on manipulating the integral involving the Heaviside function and suggested alternative approaches to integration. There is an ongoing exploration of different methods, but no consensus has been reached regarding the best approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention challenges with convergence and the specifics of integrating functions multiplied by the Heaviside step function, indicating potential gaps in understanding or application of Fourier transform techniques.

Dextrine
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Homework Statement


A damped harmonic oscillator is driven by a force of the form f(t)=h(t) t^2 Exp(-t), where h(t) is a Heaviside step function. The Oscillator satisfies the equation x''+2x'+4x=f(t). Use pencil-and-paper methods involving Fourier transforms and inverse transforms to find the
response of the oscillator, x(t), assuming that x(0)=0 and x'(0)=1.

Homework Equations


The Fourier Transform F[f(t)]
The Inverse Fourier Transform F^(-1)[f(ω)]
Integration by parts

The Attempt at a Solution


First thing I did was take the Fourier transform of the left hand side, which I'm sure I got correct. The part I'm stuck on is taking the Fourier transform of f(t). I used integration by parts using
u=t^2/e^t dv=h(t)(Exp[i ω t])
du=(2t-t^2)/e^t v=πδ(ω)+i/ω

but now when I try to complete the integration, i get an integral that does not converge because of the i/ω. There have been multiple heaviside problems that I have been working on that all end up the same, and I'm not sure where to go from here.
 
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In general actually, how would one go about solving the Fourier transform of a function with the form f(t)H(t)

for example, how could I do the Fourier transform of tH(t)? Again, I've tried doing it by parts, but nothing good comes of it
 
The way you split the integrand up is unusual. The step function allows you to write the integral as
$$\int_{-\infty}^\infty t^2e^{-t}h(t) e^{i\omega t}\,dt = \int_0^\infty t^2e^{(i\omega-1)t}\,dt,$$ which you can integrate by parts. A trick you could use to avoid integration by parts is to note that ##t^2 e^{i\omega t} = -\frac{\partial^2}{\partial \omega^2}e^{i\omega t}##, so you can say
$$\int_0^\infty t^2e^{(i\omega-1)t}\,dt = -\frac{\partial^2}{\partial \omega^2}\int_0^\infty e^{(i\omega-1)t}\,dt$$
 
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Thank you so much you are a life saver. My homework became super easy after your post!
 

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