What is Dirac delta: Definition and 333 Discussions

In mathematics, the Dirac delta function (δ function) is a generalized function or distribution, a function on the space of test functions. It was introduced by physicist Paul Dirac. It is called a function, although it is not a function R → C.
It is used to model the density of an idealized point mass or point charge as a function equal to zero everywhere except for zero and whose integral over the entire real line is equal to one. No function has these properties, such that the computations made by theoretical physicists appeared to mathematicians as nonsense until the introduction of distributions by Laurent Schwartz to formalize and validate the computations. As a distribution, the Dirac delta function is a linear functional that maps every function to its value at zero. The Kronecker delta function, which is usually defined on a discrete domain and takes values 0 and 1, is a discrete analog of the Dirac delta function.
In engineering and signal processing, the delta function, also known as the unit impulse symbol, may be regarded through its Laplace transform, as coming from the boundary values of a complex analytic function of a complex variable. The convolution of a (theoretical) signal with a Dirac delta can be thought of as a stimulation that includes all frequencies. This leads to a resonance with the signal, making the theoretical signal "real" (i.e. causal). The formal rules obeyed by this function are part of the operational calculus, a standard tool kit of physics and engineering. In many applications, the Dirac delta is regarded as a kind of limit (a weak limit) of a sequence of functions having a tall spike at the origin (in theory of distributions, this is a true limit). The approximating functions of the sequence are thus "approximate" or "nascent" delta functions.

View More On Wikipedia.org
Recent contents Top users
  1. F

    Variation of Dirac delta function

    Is it possible to take the variation of the Dirac delta function, by that I mean take the functional derivative of the Dirac delta function?
  2. L

    Derivative of Dirac Delta function

    Hello I'm trying to figure out how to evaluate(in the distribution sense) \delta'(g(x)). Where \delta(x) is the dirac delta function. Please notice that what I want to evaluate is not \frac{d}{dx}(\delta(g(x))) but the derivative of the delta function calculated in g(x). If anyone could post...
  3. F

    Algebraic structure of Dirac delta functions

    OK, the Dirac delta function has the following properties: \int_{ - \infty }^{ + \infty } {\delta (x - {x_0})dx} = 1 and \int_{ - \infty }^{ + \infty } {f({x_1})\delta ({x_1} - {x_0})d{x_1}} = f({x_0}) which is a convolution integral. Then if f({x_1}) = \delta (x - {x_1}) we get...
  4. E

    Solving an equation with Dirac delta functions

    Hello, I'm dealing with the following equation: A e^{jat} + B e^{jbt} = C e^{jct} \forall t \in \mathbb{R} My book says: given nonzero constants A,B,C, if the above equation yelds for any real t, then the a,b,c constants must be equal. The above statement is prooved by taking the Fourier...
  5. K

    Dirac delta function with contineous set of zeros

    hi! i have a question regarding the delta function. if i have a delta distribution with an argument that is a function of multiple arguments, somthimg like: ∫δ(E-p^{2}_{i}/2m)dp^{N}, ranging over +-∞ now, the argument of the delta function vanishes on a sphere. i can evaluate the...
  6. T

    Problem on integrating dirac delta function

    Hi there, I am trying to integrate this: http://imm.io/oqKi I should get the second line from the integral, but I can't show it. This should somehow relate to the Heaviside step function, or I am completely wrong. Any ideas? Sorry about the url, I fixed it.
  7. J

    Property of the dirac delta function

    Hello team! I saw the other day in a textbook that the Dirac delta function of the form d(x-a) can be written as d(a-x) but the method was not explained. I was wondering if anyone know where this comes from. I've been googling but can seem to find it out. Any help would be appreciated...
  8. I

    Sifting Property (Dirac Delta), please check these

    Homework Statement use the sifting property of the dirac delta function to evaluate the following integrals. a) integral from -inf to inf sin(t) delta(t-pi/2)dt b) integral from 0 to 2 e^(2t) delta(t-1)dt c) integral from 0 to pi e^tan(theta) delta(theta- 3pi/4)d(theta) d)...
  9. M

    Dirac Delta Function (electrodynamics)

    I'm having a hard time grasping when I should use this little "function". I'm using Griffith's Intro to Electrodynamics and either he doesn't touch on it enough or I'm missing the point. From what I think I understand I'm to use it when there would be a singularity in a result or calculation(?)...
  10. J

    Proving the Delta Function Identity Using the Local Behavior of Functions

    Homework Statement See http://mathworld.wolfram.com/DeltaFunction.html I want to show (6) on that page. I can show it using (7), but we aren't supposed to do that. I already proved (5), and my prof says to use the fact that (5) is true to get the answer. Homework Equations The...
  11. andrewkirk

    Dirac Delta function as a Fourier transform

    It is fairly easy to demonstrate that the Dirac delta function is the Fourier transform of the plane wave function, and hence that: \delta(x)=∫_{-∞}^{∞}e^{ikx}dk (eg Tannoudji et al 'Quantum Physics' Vol 1 p101 A-39) Hence it should be the case that ∫_{-∞}^{∞}e^{ik}dk = \delta(1) = 0...
  12. A

    Dirac delta and fourier transform

    In my book the dirac delta is described by the equation on the attached picture. This realtion is derived from the Fourier transform, but I'm not sure that I understand what it says. If u=t it is clear that one gets f(u) in the Fourier inversion theorem. But why wouldn't u=t? In the derivation...
  13. A

    Why is the Dirac delta function written as δ(x-x') instead of just δ(x')?

    What's the reason that you write δ(x-x') rather than just δ(x') both indicating that the function is infinite at x=x' and 0 everywhere else? For me that notation just confuses me, and in my opinion the other notation is easier.
  14. T

    Limit involving dirac delta distributions

    Hey All, I am trying to evaluate the limit: \lim_{x\to 0^{+}} \frac{\delta''(x)}{\delta''(x)} Where \delta'(x) is the first derivative of the dirac distribution and \delta''(x) is the second derivative of the dirac distribution. I thought about the fact that this expression...
  15. S

    A simple application of dirac delta shift theorem help

    A "simple" application of dirac delta "shift theorem"...help Homework Statement show that for a, b, c, d positive: δ(a/b-c/d) = bdδ(ad-bc) Homework Equations ∫f(x)δ(x-a)dx = f(a) The Attempt at a Solution Ok so I start with ∫δ(a/b-c/d)f(x)dx But I am not sure how to apply the shift...
  16. N

    The Dirac delta in squere root of the absolute value

    Dear Forum Users, I have got more math question rather then the physics question. Does someone know if: \mid d(x)\mid^2 equals just d(x), here d(x) is just the Dirac delta ? best regards, nykon
  17. N

    Dirac delta wave function impossible?

    Hello, I was under the impression that a dirac delta was a "legitimate" state for a particle: maybe not mathematically, but least physically. But I was recently told by a post-doc in QM that if your particle is in a dirac delta state at one moment, the very next moment the particle is...
  18. C

    Kronecker Delta and Dirac Delta

    Hello PF, When I was studying Quantum mechanics, I realized that this equality should be true, <{\psi}_{n} \mid {\psi}_{m}>=\int {\psi}_{m}^*{\psi}_{n}dx={\delta }_{mn} So {\psi}_{m}^*{\psi}_{n} must be equal to dirac delta function so that we provide the kronecker delta as a solution of...
  19. A

    Does the dirac delta function have a Laplace transform?

    If yes, how can we find it?
  20. H

    The Discontinuity of Wave Functions in a Dirac Delta Potential

    consider a particle in one dimention. there is a dirac delta potential such as V=-a delat(x) the wave functions in two sides(left and right) are Aexp(kx) and Aexp(-kx) respectively. so the differential of the wave functions are not continious at x=0. what is the justification here?
  21. L

    Use of Dirac delta to define an inverse

    I was wondering which are the properties of functions defined in such a way that ∫dx f(y-x) g(x-z) = δ(y-z) where δ is Dirac delta and therefore g is a kind of inverse function of f (I see this integral as the continuous limit of the product of a matrix by its inverse, in which case the...
  22. sunrah

    What is the Application of Dirac Delta in Charge Constellations?

    Homework Statement We have to give the total charge, dipol and quadrupol moments of a charge constellation, but I seem to be falling at the first hurdle. Q = \frac{1}{4\pi \epsilon_{0}} \int_{vol} \rho(\vec{r}) d^{3}\vec{r} whereby the charge density of the group of particles is...
  23. sunrah

    Energy density (electrodynamics/ Dirac delta etc)

    So I have the following velocity vector of a charged particle in an EM field \dot{\vec{r}} = (v_{0x}cos(\alpha t) - v_{0z}sin(\alpha t), \frac{qEt}{m} + v_{0y}, v_{0z}cos(\alpha t) + v_{0x}sin(\alpha t)) and I have to state the energy density, which is defined as follows: \tau =...
  24. J

    Dirac delta function in reciprocal function

    From dirac, if A=B, then \frac{A}{x}=\frac{B}{x}+c\delta(x) (1) How this formula is derived? Since \frac{dlnx}{dx} = \frac{1}{x}-i\pi\delta(x) We can get \frac{A}{x} = A\frac{dlnx}{dx}+Ai\pi\delta(x) \frac{B}{x} = B\frac{dlnx}{dx}+Bi\pi\delta(x) So if A=B, \frac{A}{x}=\frac{B}{x}...
  25. J

    Dirac delta function in reciprocal function

    From dirac, if A=B, then \frac{A}{x}=\frac{B}{x}+c\delta(x) (1) How this formula is derived? Since \frac{dlnx}{dx} = \frac{1}{x}-i\pi\delta(x) We can get \frac{A}{x} = A\frac{dlnx}{dx}+Ai\pi\delta(x) \frac{B}{x} = B\frac{dlnx}{dx}+Bi\pi\delta(x) So if A=B, \frac{A}{x}=\frac{B}{x}...
  26. W

    The Alternate form of the Dirac Delta Function

    Hello, I am trying to show that: \delta(x) = \lim_{\epsilon \to 0} \frac{\sin(\frac{x}{\epsilon})}{\pi x} Is a viable representation of the dirac delta function. More specifically, it has to satisfy: \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \delta(x) f(x) dx = f(0) I know that the integral of...
  27. R

    Wavefunction collapse and dirac delta functions

    What is the experimental evidence that a wavefunction will collapse to a dirac delta function, and not something more 'smeared' out?
  28. M

    Dirac Delta from Continous Eigenfunctions

    In the equation for determining the coefficients of eigenfunctions of a continuous spectrum operator, I have trouble understanding the origin of the Dirac delta. a_f = INTEGRAL a_g ( INTEGRAL F_f F_g ) dq dg a is the coefficient, F = F(q) is an eigenfunction. From this it is shown that...
  29. A

    Verifying the integral of a dirac delta function

    Homework Statement I'll post it as an image since the notation will be tricky to type out. It's problem 4. http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/1228/307hw3.jpg Homework Equations Not sure this really applies hereThe Attempt at a Solution This is for a physics course but as you can see it's...
  30. N

    Why Does the Integration of exp[abs(x)+3]*delta(x-2) from -1 to 1 Equal Zero?

    Homework Statement Integrate exp[abs(x)+3]*delta(x-2) dx, -1, 1 2. The attempt at a solution f(x)=exp[abs(x)+3]*delta(x-2) f(2)=148.4 Integrate exp[abs(x)+3]*delta(x-2) dx, -1, 1 = 0 [b]3. Why is the answer 0?
  31. F

    Is Dirac delta function dimensionless?

    Probably a trivial question, but does Dirac delta function has (to have always) a physical dimension or is it used just as a auxiliary construct to express e.g. sudden force impulse, i.e. Force = Impulse \times \delta, where 'Impulse' carries the dimension? Any comments would be highly...
  32. F

    Dirac Delta: Finite Height in Fourier Analysis

    Hi, if the definition of a dirac delta (impulse) function is just a sinc function with an infinite height and 0 width, why is it that they are shown and used in Fourier analysis as having a finite height? for example g(t) = cos(2*PI*f0*t) has two impulses of height = 1/2 at f=+/-f0
  33. I

    Dirac Delta Integral Homework: Proving Equations

    Homework Statement For some reason these are just messing me up. I need to prove: 1. \delta(y)=\delta(-y) 2.\delta^{'}(y) = -\delta^{'}(-y) 3.\delta(ay) = (1/a)\delta(y) In 2, those are supposed to be first derivatives of the delta functions Homework Equations Use an integral...
  34. N

    Why there is 2[itex]\pi[/itex] in every dirac delta function

    in QF, every dirac delta function is accompanied by 2\pi,i.e.(2\pi)\delta(p-p_0) or (2\pi)^3\delta(\vec{p}-\vec{p_0}) the intergral element in QF is \int\frac{d^3p}{(2\pi)^3}\frac{1}{2E_P}, it comes from the integral element \int\frac{d^4p}{(2\pi)^4}(2\pi)\delta(p^2-m^2),I want to know why...
  35. A

    Is f(x)δ(x) Equal to f(2)δ(x)?

    Homework Statement Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Can I write, say, f(x) \delta(x)=f(2)\delta(x)? Since \delta(x) =0 for x\neq0
  36. D

    Prove that derivative of the theta function is the dirac delta function

    let θ(x-x') be the function such that θ = 1 when x-x' > 0 and θ = 0 when x-x' < 0. Show that d/dx θ(x-x') = δ(x - x'). it is easy to show that d/dx θ(x-x') is 0 everywhere except at x = x'. To show that d/dx θ(x-x') is the dirac delta function i also need to show that the integral over the...
  37. J

    Dirac Delta Integration for Exponential Functions

    Homework Statement find \int_{-\infty}^{+\infty} x(t) \delta (\beta t - t_{0}) dt for x(t) = e^{a t} u(t) there is no information conserning a, β, or t_{0}... The Attempt at a Solution assuming that t_{0} is a constant\int_{-\infty}^{+\infty} x(t) \delta (\beta t - t_{0}) dt =...
  38. Rasalhague

    Exploring Dirac Delta Functions in QM Theory

    I'm reading Daniel T. Gillespie's A QM Primer: An Elementary Introduction to the Formal Theory of QM. In the section on continuous eigenvalues, he admits to playing "fast and loose" with the laws of calculus, with respect to the Dirac delta function. I'd like to understand it better, or, if such...
  39. P

    Solve Dirac Delta Function IVP: y''-2y'-3y=2\delta (t-1)-\delta (t-3)

    Homework Statement Solve the given symbolic initial value problem: y''-2y'-3y=2\delta (t-1)-\delta (t-3) ;y(0)=2,y'(0)=2 The attempt at a solution Let Y(s):= L{y(t)}(s) Taking laplace transform of both sides: [s^{2}Y(s)-2s-2]-2[sY(s)-2]-3Y(s)=2e^{-s}-e^{-3s}...
  40. Z

    Zeta regularization and product of dirac delta distribution

    using the convolution theorem with power functions x^{m} we may define via the convolution theorem the product of 2 dirac delta distribution then main idea is to consider the convolution integral \int_{R}dt(x-t)^{m}t^{n} and then apply the Fourier transform with respect to variable 'x'...
  41. A

    A problem with a Dirac delta function potential

    Homework Statement An ideal particle of energy E is incident upon a rectangular barrier of width 2a and height V_{0}. Imagine adjusting the barrier width and height so that it approaches V(x)=\alpha \delta(x). What is the relationship between V0, alpha and a? Homework Equations The...
  42. L

    Difference Equation and Dirac Delta

    Homework Statement y[n] - (2/3)y[n-1] = x[n] what is y[n] if x[n] = diracdelta[n] The Attempt at a Solution for some reason, i argued that y[n-1] = diracdelta[n-1] so y[n] = diracdelta[n] + (2/3)diracdelta[n-1] Im pretty sure this is wrong, anybody can help?
  43. T

    Scaling Property of the Dirac Delta Function

    Homework Statement Prove that \displaystyle \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \delta (at - t_0) \ dt = \frac{1}{ | a |} \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \delta (t - \frac{t_0}{a}) \ dt For some constant a. The Attempt at a Solution Edit: Looking at this again, I really don't understand where this is coming...
  44. L

    Proof of Dirac delta sifting property.

    Homework Statement Prove the statement http://www.mathhelpforum.com/math-help/vlatex/pics/60_32c8daf48ffa5f233ecc2ac3660e517e.png The Attempt at a Solution I am clueless as to how I would go about doing this, I know the basic properties. I think it has to do with using epsilon...
  45. B

    Discourse on Dirac Delta Function in Spherical/Polar Coordinates

    Anyone know where I can find a discourse on the dirac delta function in spherical or polar coordinates, in particular why it is the form it is with correction coefficients? Thank you.
  46. L

    Using MATLAB to get the fourier transform of dirac delta function

    Homework Statement Dear all, I have a problem when I using MATLAB to get the Fourier transform of dirac delta function. below is my code.Homework Equations clear all; clc; close all; % t=0:0.002:2; t=0:0.002:4; dt=t(2)-t(1); u=zeros(size(t)); pos0=find(t>=1,1); u(pos0)=1/dt...
  47. J

    What is the result of taking the integral of δ(τ+2) - δ(τ-2)?

    hi guys i want to find i took the integral of δ(τ+2) and I said that it's basically u(t+2) δ(τ-2) is u(t-2) so we have u(t+2) - u(t-2) = 2 from -2 to 2.. well after that i need to get the absolute value of this and then the power of two, i don't know how to do this.. my book...
  48. Q

    What is the purpose of the Dirac delta function in three dimensions?

    i don't really understand the dirac delta function in 3D. is it right that integral of f(r)d3(r-a)dt = f(a) where a = constant ,r is like variable x in 1D dirac delta function? so why when i have f(r')d3(r-r') , it picks out f(r)? where r is now a constant and r' is a...
  49. C

    Dirac delta function under integral?

    Hello all, I joined this amazing forum just today.I hope that my question will get answered soon. So here it is.I am unable to understand a some steps in calculation. Please help me understand. Here is a linear homogeneous first order differential equation whose solution a research...
  50. N

    Dirac delta, generalizations of vector calculus and sigh vagueness

    Although I am an aspiring physicist, I cannot cope with the physicist's love for vagueness when it comes to yielding math. Exactness is simply not a luxury that can be ignored, certainly not in theoretical physics. But okay, I realize the dirac delta function can be made exact by the use of...
Back
Top