Paley-Wiener theorem
In mathematics the Paley-Wiener theorem relates growth properties of entire functions on Cn and Fourier transformation of Schwartz distributions of compact support.
Generally, the Fourier transform can be defined for any tempered distribution; moreover, any distribution of compact support v is a tempered distribution. If v is a distribution of compact support and f is an infinitely differentiable function, the expression
- <math> v(f) = v_x \left(f(x)\right) <math>
is well defined. In the above expression the variable x in vx is a dummy variable and indicates that the distribution is to be applied with the argument function considered as a function of x.
It can be shown that the Fourier transform of v is a function (as opposed to a general tempered distribution) given at the value s by
- <math> \hat{v}(s) = (2 \pi)^{-n/2} v_x\left(e^{-i \langle x, s\rangle}\right)<math>
and that this function can be extended to values of s in the complex space Cn. This extension of the Fourier transform to the complex domain is called the Raymond Paley (1907 - 1933) and Norbert Wiener. Their formulations were not in terms of distributions, a concept not at the time available. The formulation presented here is attributed to Lars Hormander.
In another version, the Paley-Wiener theorem explicitly describes the Hardy space <math>H^2(\mathbf{R})<math> using the unitary Fourier transform <math>\mathcal{F}<math>. The theorem states that
- <math> \mathcal{F}H^2(\mathbf{R})=L^2(\mathbf{R_+})<math>.
This is a very useful result as it enables one pass to the Fourier transform of a function in the Hardy space and perform calculations in the easily understood space <math>L^2(\mathbf{R_+})<math> of square-integrable functions supported on the positive axis.
References
See section 3 Chapter VI of
- K. Yosida, Functional Analysis, Academic Press, 1968
See also Theorem 1.7.7 in
- L. Hormander, Linear Partial Differential Operators, Springer Verlag, 1976
