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So, the Laplace Transform, <math>X(s)\!</math>, evaluated on the imaginary axis, <math>X(j\omega)\!</math>, is equal to the Fourier Transform, <math>F(x(t))\!</math>, at <math>\omega\!</math>.  Said another way, the Fourier Transform, <math>X(\omega)\!</math>, is the restriction of the Laplace Transform, <math>X(s)\!</math>, on the imaginary axis, <math>s = j\omega\!</math>.
 
So, the Laplace Transform, <math>X(s)\!</math>, evaluated on the imaginary axis, <math>X(j\omega)\!</math>, is equal to the Fourier Transform, <math>F(x(t))\!</math>, at <math>\omega\!</math>.  Said another way, the Fourier Transform, <math>X(\omega)\!</math>, is the restriction of the Laplace Transform, <math>X(s)\!</math>, on the imaginary axis, <math>s = j\omega\!</math>.
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It is actually possible to obtain the Laplace Transform, <math>X(s)\!</math>, from the Fourier Transform, <math>X(\omega)\!</math>.

Revision as of 16:43, 24 November 2008

The Laplace Transform

The Laplace Transform is a generalization of the Fourier Transform. Instead of considering only the imaginary axis, $ j\omega\! $, (as the Fourier Transform does) the Laplace Transform considers all complex values represented by the general complex variable $ s\! $. Take the following simple picture:

Fourier Transform: $ x(t) --> X(\omega)\! $ where $ \omega\! $ is a frequency.

Laplace Transform: $ x(t) --> X(s)\! $ where $ s\! $ is a complex variable.

Mathematically, the Laplace Transform is represented as follows:

$ X(s) = \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} x(t)e^{-st} dt\! $

Let's consider the case where $ s = j\omega\! $.

$ X(s)|_{s=j\omega} = X(j\omega) = \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} x(t)e^{-j\omega t} dt = F(x(t)) = X (\omega)\! $

So, the Laplace Transform, $ X(s)\! $, evaluated on the imaginary axis, $ X(j\omega)\! $, is equal to the Fourier Transform, $ F(x(t))\! $, at $ \omega\! $. Said another way, the Fourier Transform, $ X(\omega)\! $, is the restriction of the Laplace Transform, $ X(s)\! $, on the imaginary axis, $ s = j\omega\! $.

It is actually possible to obtain the Laplace Transform, $ X(s)\! $, from the Fourier Transform, $ X(\omega)\! $.

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