Question about the Fresnel Integral

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    Fresnel Integral
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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on evaluating the integral \(\int_0^{\infty} e^{i z^2} dz\) using contour integration techniques. The user explores the convergence of the integral by substituting \(z = R e^{i \theta}\) and analyzing the expression \(e^{i R^2 e^{i 2 \theta}}\). The conclusion drawn is that while \(|(cos(R^2 cos(2 \theta)) + i sin(R^2 cos(2 \theta)))| = 1\) uniformly, the absolute value of \(e^{i R^2 e^{i 2 \theta}}\) does not equal 1 due to the imaginary component not being zero. This highlights the importance of the imaginary part in determining the absolute value of complex exponentials.

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post edited, see below (latex doesn't seem to edit properly on edited pages0
 
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Hello,
So I want to evaluate [tex]\int_0^{\infty} e^{i z^2}[/tex]. One of the central steps is to evaluate the integral around the contour line [tex]z = R e^{i \theta}[/tex]. So I substitute in [tex]z = R e^{i \theta}[/tex] so that I get [tex]e^{i R^2 e^{i 2 \theta}} = e^{i R^2 cos(2 \theta) - R^2 sin(2 \theta)}.[/tex]. I have to show convergence to 0. This equals [tex]e^{i R^2 cos(2 \theta)} e^{- R^2 sin(2 \theta)} = (cos(R^2 cos(2 \theta)) + i sin(R^2 cos(2 \theta))) e^{- R^2 sin(2 \theta)}[/tex]. So my sources say that the absolute value of this becomes [tex]e^{ - R^2 sin(2 \theta)},[/tex] implying that [tex]|(cos(R^2 cos(2 \theta)) + i sin(R^2 cos(2 \theta)))| = 1[/tex] throughout the entire interval. Of course, the absolute value of [tex]e^{i \theta}[/tex] is 1 as long as the number is of this form. But then, why can't the absolute value of [tex]e^{i R^2 e^{i 2 \theta}}[/tex] also be 1 throughout the range? What properties make a the absolute value of a number of the form [tex]e^{i \theta}[/tex] NOT converge to 1 for ANY value of [tex]\theta[/tex]?

====

Another question: Since I have to evaluate [tex]\int_0^{\infty} e^{i z^2} dz[/tex], where [tex]dz = i e^{i \theta} d \theta[/tex] - I have to multiply this equation by that factor. I probably have to do this for the final solution. But since this is bounded by i, and my only objective is to show that this integral converges to 0, this factor of dz should be effectively negligible, right?

==
MAIN QUESTION:
Why does [tex]|(cos(R^2 cos(2 \theta)) + i sin(R^2 cos(2 \theta)))| = 1[/tex] UNIFORMLY WHEN

the absolute value of [tex]e^{i R^2 e^{i 2 \theta}}[/tex] is NOT equal to 1?
==
 
Well, because [itex]\Im(R^2e^{i2\theta})\neq 0[/itex], while [itex]\Im(R^2\cos(2\theta))=0[/itex].

(If [itex]z\in \mathbb{C}[/itex], then [itex]|e^{iz}|=1[/itex] if and only if [itex]\Im(z)=0[/itex])

P.S. Edited [itex]\LaTeX[/itex] works great, you only have to hit the refresh button so images get corrected.
 
Last edited:

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