Integral want same answer as book

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of the power spectrum for light scattering signals, specifically focusing on the integral representation of the spectrum and the function S(q,t). Participants are attempting to reconcile their manual calculations with results presented in a reference book, addressing issues of convergence and the proper treatment of the time variable.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the integral for the spectrum I(q,ω) and the corresponding function S(q,t) as given in the book, expressing a desire to replicate the results using Mathematica or MATLAB.
  • Another participant suggests that S(q,t) diverges for negative t and questions whether an absolute value or a square term is missing from the equation.
  • A later reply clarifies that t represents a delay time and cannot be negative, asserting that the equation is presented exactly as in the book.
  • Another participant proposes that the absolute value of t should be used in S(q,t) to avoid divergence, implying that the equation was meant for positive t.
  • One participant confirms that using Abs(t) yields the correct answer, acknowledging the reasoning behind the absolute value due to the nature of time.
  • A participant extends the discussion by asking how to Fourier transform experimental data represented as a set of numbers, seeking clarification on the process and limits for the transformation.
  • Another participant responds by suggesting the use of the Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) and mentions MATLAB's built-in function "fft" for this purpose.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the treatment of the time variable in the function S(q,t), with some suggesting modifications to avoid divergence while others maintain the original form as presented in the book. The discussion regarding the Fourier transformation of experimental data remains unresolved, with participants providing different approaches.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions about the time variable t and its treatment in the integral. The discussion also highlights the dependence on the definitions provided in the book, which may not fully address the concerns raised by participants.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals working on signal processing, particularly in the context of light scattering experiments, as well as those interested in Fourier transforms and their applications to experimental data analysis.

Steve Drake
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Hi Guys,

I'm doing some work on signals and power spectrums.

The book I am using says the spectrum for this light scattering signal is given by:

[tex]I(q,\omega ) = \frac{1}{{2\pi }}\int_{ - \infty }^\infty {\exp ( - i\omega t)} S(q,t)dt[/tex]

In the book an S term is given as:

[tex]S(q,t) = N\left\langle {{\gamma ^2}} \right\rangle \exp [ - ({q^2}{D_T} + 6{D_R})t][/tex]

So what I want to do is work out the spectrum manually (using mathemtica or matlab) and get the same answer that they do. I need this because soon I will be using equations that aernt in the book and need to make sure the spectrum comes out correct.

But when I try to do it in mathematic I get an error saying the integral does not converge.

Matlab gives an answer but it looks strange and wrong.

The book then says that the spectrum is therefore (this is what I want to arrive at via MATLAB or mathematica):

[tex]I(q,\omega ) = \frac{{N\left\langle {{\gamma ^2}} \right\rangle }}{\pi }\frac{{{q^2}{D_T} + 6{D_R}}}{{{\omega ^2} + {{({q^2}{D_T} + 6{D_R})}^2}}}[/tex]

any ideas?

Thanks
 
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Steve Drake said:
[tex]S(q,t) = N\left\langle {{\gamma ^2}} \right\rangle \exp [ - ({q^2}{D_T} + 6{D_R})t][/tex]
I think it's pretty obvious that S(q,t) is diverging badly for negative t. Are you sure there's not an absolute value or a square ([itex]t^2[/itex]) or something in the [itex]({q^2}{D_T} + 6{D_R})t[/itex] term that you're omitting?
 
Last edited:
uart said:
I think it's pretty obvious that S(q,t) is diverging badly for negative t. Are you sure there's not an absolute value or a square ([itex]t^2[/itex]) or something in the [itex]({q^2}{D_T} + 6{D_R})t[/itex] term that you're omitting?

Hey, thanks for your answer. For these experiments, t is a delay time, so it can't really go negative. t spans from several decades from say e-7 to e5 seconds. So the exp term will be 1 at the shortest of times, and 0 at longest. But that is the equation exactly in the book. I don't get why I can't just put it in and watch it spin. How do the authors do these equations lol
 
Last edited:
Steve Drake said:
Hey, thanks for your answer. For these experiments, t is a delay time, so it can't really go negative. t spans from several decades from say e-7 to e5 seconds. So the exp term will be 1 at the shortest of times, and 0 at longest. But that is the equation exactly in the book. I don't get why I can't just put it in and watch it spin. How do the authors do these equations lol

To get the answer in the book you need to use the absolute value of "t". It must have been "implied" that S(q,t) as written was for positive "t" and that it was symmetric for negative "t".

[tex]S(q,t) = N\left\langle {{\gamma ^2}} \right\rangle \exp [ - ({q^2}{D_T} + 6{D_R}){\bf|t|}][/tex]

BTW. This is just Fourier transform. You can look up that integral as the FT of [itex]e^{-a|x|}[/itex] here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourier_transform#Tables_of_important_Fourier_transforms
 
Wow, thanks so much! When I use Abs(t) it gets the exact answer. I guess it makes sense because time can't be negative. Huge help thanks!
 
Hey,

You've been such a great help may I extend my question now?

I have some real data that I want to turn into the power spectrum. The data is in the form of x y where x is t, and y is S(q,t).

So I can Fourier transform the theoretical equation, to obtain the answer for how we expect the power spectrum to turn out. Now... how do I Fourier transform my experimental data? Its just a set of numbers.

So for the first delay time, S(q,t) will be 1. Do I just try

[tex]I(q,\omega ) = \frac{1}{{2\pi }}\int_{ - \infty }^\infty {\exp ( - i\omega t)} \times1dt[/tex]

I don't get what goes in ω, or what limits I use?

Thanks for the help! Right now the machine I use Pumps out the autocorrelation function (S(q,t)), but I want the power spectrum.
 
Steve Drake said:
I have some real data that I want to turn into the power spectrum. The data is in the form of x y where x is t, and y is S(q,t).

So I can Fourier transform the theoretical equation, to obtain the answer for how we expect the power spectrum to turn out. Now... how do I Fourier transform my experimental data? Its just a set of numbers.

Hi Steve. For a set of numbers like that you use the DFT ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discrete_Fourier_transform ). Matlab has a built in function "fft" to perform this operation.
 

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