# Integration of Dirac delta w/ different dimensionalities

1. Feb 11, 2010

Hi!

The Dirac delta satisfies

$$\int dx f(x) \delta(x-a) = f(a)$$

$$\int d^3x f(x) \delta^{(4)}(x-a)$$

Here, x and a are four-momenta, and the integral is over the regular 3-dim momentum.

How does the delta behave here?

2. Feb 11, 2010

### CompuChip

The notation you used usually means
$$\delta^{(4)}(x - a) = \delta(x^0 - a^0) \delta(x^1 - a^1) \delta(x^2 - a^2) \delta(x^3 - a^3)$$

So in that case
$$\int d^3x f(x) \delta^{(4)}(x-a) = f(\vec a) \delta(x^0 - a^0)$$
where $a = (a^0, \vec a)$.

3. Feb 11, 2010

Ok, thanks!

4. Feb 11, 2010

### CompuChip

By the way, note that this is what you might call "physicist's notation".
Of course, technically the remaining delta makes no sense whatsoever, unless you put it under an integral sign again.

However, we usually interpret it as 'this quantity has the value f(a), but it is only well-defined* if x0 = a0' or something along those lines.

* well-defined being: having a physical meaning

5. Feb 11, 2010

$$\int d^3p f(p) \delta(p^0-a^0)$$
$$\int d^3p f(a)$$