Strange Fourier transform into something else how?

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The discussion centers on evaluating a complex integral involving a Fourier transform, specifically transitioning from a triple integral to a simpler expression. Participants explore the use of spherical coordinates and contour integration, with emphasis on applying the residue theorem to handle poles in the complex plane. The conversation highlights the importance of correctly identifying the integrand's symmetry and the appropriate contour for integration. Participants clarify the mathematical steps needed to simplify the integrand and address potential errors in the integration process. Ultimately, the goal is to derive the correct expression for the integral, leading to the known result involving the exponential decay term.
  • #31
Well I used the residues method and arrived at e^(-kr)/2 pi r so I seem to be a factor of 2 out..

I'm pretty sure it's not a human error so either I have the right answer now or I missed something?
 
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  • #32
MadMax said:
Well I used the residues method and arrived at e^(ikr)/2 pi r so I seem to be a factor of 2 out..

I'm pretty sure it's not a human error so either I have the right answer now or I missed something?

Not human? Hmm? This is a pretty well known result, so I doubt the math is wrong. You've skipped over a lot of steps here and there's any number of places to drop a 2. For one thing, did you put in a factor of 1/2 when you changed the integration range from 0->infinity to -infinity->infinity? BTW also change the i in your answer to (-1).
 
  • #33
ohh! it'll be the limits then. yes I guess the factor of two comes in because the new limits on rho mean that we no longer need to integrate from 0 to 2 pi in phi but only from 0 to pi.

Thank you very very much Dick! You rock. :D
 
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  • #34
Noooo. It's because the original problem only called for integrating over positive q and in using the contour we integrate over all q. Phi is still 0 to 2*pi. Anyway, good luck with the next residue problem!
 
  • #35
ahh ok, yes. :)

thanks again.
 

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