Proving Continuous Function: Expectation Values of Periodic Functions Over Time

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on proving the continuity of the expectation value of periodic functions over time, specifically the expression ##\exp(i \theta)##. The formula presented is ##\exp(i \theta) = \exp(i t / 2) \sum_{n=-\infty}^{\infty} a_n a^*_{n-1} \exp(-i n t)##, where ##a_n## are the Fourier coefficients. The continuity is established through the properties of complex exponentials and Fourier series, with an emphasis on using an ordinary ##\varepsilon-\delta## proof to demonstrate the continuity of the function.

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  • Familiarity with Fourier series and their properties.
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Mathematicians, physics students, and researchers focusing on analysis of periodic functions and their expectation values, particularly those interested in complex analysis and Fourier analysis.

thegaussian
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Hi. I'm looking to at how expectation values of periodic functions evolve in time, and i need to prove that ##\exp ( i \theta )## is continuous in time (this is the expectation of the exponential of the angle).
My formula is:

##\exp( i \theta) = \exp ( i t /2) \sum_{n=-\infty}^{\infty} a_n a^*_{n-1} \exp (- i n t )##

where ##a_n## are the Fourier coefficients of the initial function, ##*## represents the complex conjugate. Now how do I go about proving it's continuous? We have basically a complex exponential factor (that's obviously continuous) multiplied by a Fourier series, but I just have no idea really where to go from there.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks!
 
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An ordinary ##\varepsilon-\delta## prove should do. You can even take ##\exp(- i t)## out of the sum.
 

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