a formula for the decomposition of a nonperiodic function into harmonic components whose frequencies range over a continuous set of values.
If a function f(x) satisfies the Dirichlet condition on every finite interval and if the integral
converges, then
The formula was first introduced in 1811 by J. Fourier in connection with the solution of certain heat conduction problems but was proved later by other mathematicians.
Formula (1) can also be given in the form
where
In particular, for even functions
where
Formula (2) may be viewed as the limiting form of the Fourier series for functions with period 2T as T → ∞. Then, a(u) and b(u) are analogues of the Fourier coefficients of f(x).
Using complex numbers, we can replace formula (1) with
Formula (1) can also be written as
(simple Fourier integral).
If the integrals in formulas (2) and (3) diverge (seeIMPROPER INTEGRALS), then, in many cases, they nevertheless converge to f(x) if we use appropriate summability methods. The solution of many problems involves the use of Fourier integrals of functions of two and more variables.
REFERENCE
Titchmarsh, E. Vvedenie v teoriiu integralov Fur’e. Moscow-Leningrad, 1948. (Translated from English.)Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.
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