# Verify this distribution convolution: $E(t,x)\ast (g(x)\delta(t)) = t\int_{\omega\in S^2}{\frac{g(x-t\omega)}{4\pi}dS(\omega)}$

In our class notes we are asked to verify the following equality:

$$E(t,x)\ast (g(x)\delta(t)) = t\int_{\omega\in S^2}{\frac{g(x-t\omega)}{4\pi}dS(\omega)}$$ where $E(t,x)=\frac{1}{4\pi|x|}\delta(t-|x|)$ is the fundamental solution to the wave equation in $\mathbb{R}^3$.

My problem with this is that I am not sure how to deal with the convolution of these two distributions.

First, seeing as they both have compact support, then their convolution (as distributions) is well defined. Moreover, since $f(x)\delta_{a}(x)\ast g(x)\delta_{b}(x) = f(a)g(b)\delta_{a+b}(x)$, where $\delta_{a}(x)=\delta(x-a)$, then I would conclude that $$E(t,x)\ast(g(x)\delta(t)) = \frac{g(x)}{4\pi|x|}\delta(t-|x|).$$ However this is still only a distribution, and I cannot figure out how this would be equivalent to the given solution.

Second, if we appeal to the integral definition of the convolution, then we have $$E(t,x)\ast(g(x)\delta(t)) = \frac{1}{4\pi}\int_{\mathbb{R}^3}\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}{\frac{1}{|y|}\delta(s-|y|)g(x-y)\delta(t-s)}dsdy$$ which gives us an integral involving two delta distributions, again leaving me at a loss for how to proceed.

Any help in clarifying this equality would be greatly appreciated.

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I realize my first approach was incorrect, as I was considering it as only a convolution in the $t$ variable, and not also in the $x$ variables. The correct method is below. –  Patch Mar 5 '12 at 23:24

Going with the integral definition of convolution, we have \begin{align} E(t,x)\ast(g(x)\delta(t)) &= \frac{1}{4\pi}\int_{\mathbb{R}^3}\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}{\frac{1}{|y|}g(x-y)\delta(s-|y|)}\delta(t-s)dsdy\\ &= \frac{1}{4\pi}\int_{\mathbb{R}^3}|y|^{-1}g(x-y)\left(\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}{\delta(s-|y|)\delta(t-s)}ds\right)dy\\ &= \frac{1}{4\pi}\int_{\mathbb{R}^3}|y|^{-1}g(x-y)\left(\delta_{|y|}(t)\ast\delta_{0}(t)\right)dy\\ &= \frac{1}{4\pi}\int_{\mathbb{R}^3}|y|^{-1}g(x-y)\delta(t-|y|)dy\\ &= \frac{1}{4\pi}\int_{0}^{\pi}\int_{0}^{2\pi}\int_{0}^{\infty}r^{-1}g(x-\tilde{y})\delta(t-r)r^{2}\sin\phi dr d\theta d\phi\\ &= \frac{1}{4\pi}\int_{0}^{\pi}\int_{0}^{2\pi}\sin\phi\left(\int_{0}^{\infty}rg(x-\tilde{y})\delta(t-r)dr\right) d\theta d\phi\\ &= \frac{1}{4\pi}\int_{0}^{\pi}\int_{0}^{2\pi}\sin\phi\left\langle\delta(t-r),rg(x-\tilde{y})\right\rangle d\theta d\phi\\ &= \frac{1}{4\pi}\int_{0}^{\pi}\int_{0}^{2\pi}tg(x-t\omega)\sin\phi d\theta d\phi\\ \end{align} where $\omega\in S^{2}$, and since $\delta(t-r)=\delta_{t}(r)$. But $\sin\phi d\theta d\phi = dS(\omega)$, so we get the final equality $$\frac{t}{4\pi}\int_{\omega\in S^{2}}{g(x-t\omega)dS(\omega)}.$$
You should clarify your $\tilde{y}$. –  Vobo Mar 7 '12 at 20:18
By $\tilde{y}$ I just mean $y$ expressed in spherical coordinates; also $x$ is fixed inside the integral, hence no tilde. –  Patch Mar 9 '12 at 11:26