How Can I Integrate with Dirac Delta in this Expression?

AI Thread Summary
To integrate the expression P(k, w) = A * δ(w-k*v) * f(k, w), the double integral I = A ∫∫0∞ δ(w-k*v) * f(k, w) dw dk can be approached by first integrating with respect to w. The Dirac delta function simplifies the integration by enforcing w = k*v, leading to I = A ∫ f(k, w=kv) dk. It is important to recognize that k and w are independent variables, and the integration limits must accommodate the relationship imposed by the delta function. This method allows for a straightforward evaluation of the integral.
Ado
Messages
26
Reaction score
4

Homework Statement



I need to integrate this expression :

P(k, w) = A * δ(w-k*v) * f(k, w)

A is constant and δ, Dirac Delta.

Homework Equations


[/B]
There is double integration :

I = ∫0 dk ∫0 P(k,w) dw
= A ∫∫0 δ(w-k*v) * f(k, w) dw dk

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
I'm confused with Delta Dirac for calculating this integral.

Let us proceed the w-variable integration firstly. Since the δ-term impose w = k*v, we need to calculate :
0 f(k=w/v, w) dw
But after that, there is no longer any k-dependence...

Of course I'm wrong.. can you explain me how to proceed ??

Thanks in advance !
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I believe you could do the integration in either order, ## dk ## or ## d \omega ## first. The delta function should get removed with the first integration, and both methods should give the same answer. When doing the ## dk ## integration first, I believe the factor ## v ## will affect the delta function, and the substitution ## u=vk ## would be useful. ## \\ ## Suggestion: Try something such as ## \int\limits_{0}^{+\infty} \int\limits_{0}^{+\infty} \exp(-\omega^2) \, \delta(\omega-vk) \, d \omega \, dk ##. When you do the ## dk ## integration first, nothing happens to the ## \omega ## in the exponential, since any ## k ## term would get converted, but ## \omega ## terms are unaffected. And yes, to get agreement with the answer where you do the ## d \omega ## first, you need the substitution ## u=vk ## when doing ## dk ## first. With this substitution, ## dk=\frac{du}{v} ##, and the delta function with the ## du ## integration integrates to unity. ## \\ ## The process when the ## d \omega ## integration is performed first is a little more straightforward. ## \\ ## (Note: Here we let ## f(k, \omega)=\exp(-\omega^2) ## with no ## k ## dependence).
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes fresh_42
Ado said:

Homework Statement


I need to integrate this expression :
P(k, w) = A * δ(w-k*v) * f(k, w)
A is constant and δ, Dirac Delta.

Homework Equations


There is double integration :
I = ∫0 dk ∫0 P(k,w) dw
= A ∫∫0 δ(w-k*v) * f(k, w) dw dk

The Attempt at a Solution


I'm confused with Delta Dirac for calculating this integral.
Let us proceed the w-variable integration firstly. Since the δ-term impose w = k*v, we need to calculate :
0 f(k=w/v, w) dw
You're forcing w to be a function of k but this is not right. k and w are both variables. Go
I = A ∫ ∫ f(k,w) δ(w - kv) dw dk
Sampling characteristic of the delta function leads to
I = A ∫f(k, w=kv)dk
provided (lower limit of integration) < kv < (upper limit of integration) over w.
 
You are right rude man, thank's for your help :)
 
Ado said:
You are right rude man, thank's for your help :)
Most welcome!
 
Thread 'Help with Time-Independent Perturbation Theory "Good" States Proof'
(Disclaimer: this is not a HW question. I am self-studying, and this felt like the type of question I've seen in this forum. If there is somewhere better for me to share this doubt, please let me know and I'll transfer it right away.) I am currently reviewing Chapter 7 of Introduction to QM by Griffiths. I have been stuck for an hour or so trying to understand the last paragraph of this proof (pls check the attached file). It claims that we can express Ψ_{γ}(0) as a linear combination of...
Back
Top