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Applications and Review of Fourier Transform/Series: Solving Linear Partial Differential Equations (PDE's)
Applications and Review of Fourier Transform/Series: Solving Linear Partial Differential Equations (PDE's)
(Reference The Fourier Transform and its Application, second edition, R.N. Bracewell,
McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1978.)
It may seem unusual that we begin a course on Geodynamics by reviewing fourier transforms
and fourier series. However, you will see that fourier analysis is used in almost every aspect of
the subject ranging from solving linear differential equations to developing computer models, to
the processing and analysis of data. We wont be using fourier analysis for the first few lectures,
but Ill introduce the concepts today so that people who are less familiar with the topic can have
time for review. In the first few lectures, Ill also discuss plate tectonics. I imagine that students
with physics and math backgrounds may have to spend some time reviewing plate tectonics.
Hopefully everyone will be busy the first two weeks. Next class Ill give a homework
assignment involving fourier transforms. Later well have a short quiz on plate tectonics.
$
F(k) = % f(x)e"i2 #kx dx F(k) = &[ f(x)] - forward transform
"$
$
f(x) = % F(k)e i2 #kx
dk f(x) = &"1 [ F(k)] - inverse transform
"$
" "
!i 2 $ (k %x)
F(k) = # # f (x)e d 2x F(k) = &2 [ f (x)]
!"!"
" "
i2 $ (k%x)
f (x) = # # F(k)e d 2k f (x) = &2!1 [ F(k)]
!"!"
where x = (x, y) is the position vector, k = (kx, ky) is the wavenumber vector, and
(k . x) = kx x + ky y.
A << 4 Re 2
l << Re
5
In this case the patch is nearly flat and it is also quite thin. The area at the bottom of the patch is
about equal to the area at the top of the patch so a 1-D approximation or a plane-stress
approximation may be adequate when we solve the heat conduction or flexure equations,
respectively. Note that on a planet like Mars where the lithospheric thickness is a large fraction
of the radius, the use of the Cartesian geometry may not be appropriate.
1 1
E(x) = [ f(x) + f(!x)] O(x) = [ f(x) ! f(! x)]
2 2
#
!i2"kx
F(k) = $ f(x)e dx
!#
# #
# #
You have probably seen fourier cosine and sine transforms, but it is better to use the complex
exponential form.
1 " k%
similarity property ![ f(ax) ] = F$ '
| a | # a&
"i2#ka
shift property ![ f(x - a)] = e F(k)
" df %
differentiation property !$ ' = i2(k F(k)
# dx &
$" '
convolution property ! # f (u)g( x -u )du) = F(k)G(k)
&
&% -" )(
! 2 ! 2
Note: These properties are equally valid in 2-dimensions or even n-dimensions. The properties
also apply to discrete data. See Chapter 18 in Bracewell.
8
Fourier series y
Many geophysical problems are
concerned with a small area on the W
surface of the Earth. W
W - width of area y
x x
L
L - length of area
The coefficients of the 2-dimensional Fourier series are computed by the following integration.
L W
m 1 * $m n '-
Fn = ! ! f (x, y)exp , "i2# & x + y ) / dydx
LW o o + %L W (.
The function is reconstructed by the following summations over the fourier coefficients.
" "
m
+ %m n (.
f (x, y) = # #F n exp - i2$ ' x + y* 0
, &L W )/
n= !" m = !"
The finite size of the area leads to a discrete set of wavenumbers kx = m/L, ky = n/W and a
discrete set of fourier coefficients Fnm. In addition to the finite size of the area, geophysical data
commonly have a characteristic sampling interval x and y.
The Nyquist wavenumbers is kx = 1/(2 x) and ky = 1/(2 y) so there is a finite set of fourier
coefficients -I/2 < m < I/2 and -J/2 < n < J/2. Recall the trapezoidal rule of integration.
L I #1
L
L I #1
% f (x)dx " $ f (x i )
o I i= 0
1 I "1 J "1 j + % m n (.
Fnm = # #
IJ i= 0 j= 0
f i exp-"i2$ ' i + j*0
, &I J )/
!
9
The forward and inverse discrete fourier transforms are almost identical sums so one can use the
same computer code for both operations.
I / 2"1 J / 2"1
+ %i j (.
j
fi = # #F n
m
exp-i2$ ' m + n *0
, &I J )/
n="I / 2 m="J / 2
Sorry for the dual use of the symbol i. The i in front of the 2 is "1 while the other non-itallic
i's are integers.
!