What is the Laplace Transform of the Sinc Function?

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SUMMARY

The Laplace transform of the sinc function is definitively expressed as \(\mathcal{L}(sinc(t)) = \cot^{-1}(s)\). This conclusion arises from integrating the function correctly and accounting for the constant of integration, which is determined to be \(\frac{\pi}{2}\). The discussion highlights the relationship between the sinc function and the inverse cotangent function, clarifying common misconceptions about definite integrals and constants. The transformation process involves using the identity \(\mathcal{L}(sin(t)) = \frac{1}{s^2 + 1}\) and its derivatives.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Laplace transforms, specifically \(\mathcal{L}(sin(t))\)
  • Familiarity with trigonometric functions, particularly \(\tan^{-1}(s)\) and \(\cot^{-1}(s)\)
  • Knowledge of integration techniques in calculus
  • Basic concepts of definite integrals and constants of integration
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of the Laplace transform in detail
  • Learn about the relationship between trigonometric functions and their inverses
  • Explore integration techniques, focusing on improper integrals
  • Investigate applications of the sinc function in signal processing
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, engineers, and students in applied mathematics or control theory who are working with Laplace transforms and trigonometric functions.

Char. Limit
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Just out of curiosity, I've been looking into the Laplace transform and noticed that...

\mathcal{L}(sin(t))=\frac{1}{s^2+1}=\frac{d}{ds}(tan^{-1}(s))

So, I was wondering if the Laplace transform of the sinc function was the inverse tangent function. In LaTEX...

\mathcal{L}(sinc(t))=tan^{-1}(s)

In short, is the above a true statement?
 
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Close, I think you get \cot^{-1}(s)=\frac{\pi}{2}-\tan^{-1}(s) when you do the integration properly.

\mathcal{L}\left[\frac{f(t)}{t}\right]=\int_s^\infty F(\sigma)d\sigma
 
You're missing a minus sign and the constant of integration. To get the correct result you will have to find that constant.
 
Wait, constant of integration? I thought that in a definite integral, the constant of integration would cancel out...

And yeah, I see that I got something wrong there gabba. I integrated from 0 to s, instead of from s to infinity. Doing it again, you're right. Here's the true statement, I guess:

\mathcal{L}(sinc(t))=cot^{-1}(s)

I love it when I put in a trig function and get out a trig function.
 
Char.Limit said:
Wait, constant of integration? I thought that in a definite integral, the constant of integration would cancel out...

Yes I was under the impression you did something else than using the identity in post #2 namely.

I thought you had noticed that if

<br /> f(s)=\int_0^\infty \frac{\sin (t)}{t} e^{-s t} ds<br />

then

<br /> f&#039;(s)=-\int_0^\infty \sin( t )e^{-s t} ds = - \frac{d}{ds} \arctan s<br />

from this it follows that

<br /> f(s)=-\arctan s+c<br />

but f(\infty)= 0 therefore c=\pi/2 and finally f(s)=\pi/2-\arctan s=\text{arccot} s

Edit: Whoops this post was a bit premature. I thought you finished in post #4, but seeing as you finished while I was fixing my tex I won't edit this post.
 
Last edited:
And then lastly, F(s)=\frac{\pi}{2} - tan^{-1}(s)=cot^{-1}(s), right?
 

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