Quantum Mechanics integral for Dirac Delta with abs value

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving an integral involving the Dirac Delta function with an absolute value, specifically addressing the need to break the integral into positive and negative components. The participant identifies a critical error in their substitution, where the term involving ##i k \alpha## was incorrectly handled. By keeping the parameter alpha separate, the integral ultimately simplifies to a real-valued function, confirming the solution's validity.

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rogeralms
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Homework Statement


Break integral into positive and negative, integrate, recombine and simplify and show that it reduces to a real-valued function. (See attachments)

Homework Equations


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The Attempt at a Solution


My solution is not reducing to a real-valued function. Please see attachments
 

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You made the substitution ##u = i k(x+\alpha-x')##. Note that expansion of this expression gives a term of the form ## i k \alpha##. But in the original integral, ##k \alpha## is not multiplied by ##i##.
 
Thank you. I see my mistake that the alpha must be kept separate. Then the result reduces to a real function.
 

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