# Fourier transform of the Fourier transform

Is the Fourier transform of the Fourier transform of $f(t)$: $$\hat{\hat{f(t)}} = f(-t)$$ or $$\hat{\hat{f(t)}} = 2\pi f(-t)$$ ?

I have read the two versions here and here (respectively) for example.

And also, can I show this from the definition ? I tried this :

$$\hat{\hat{f(t)}} = \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}\left(\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}f(t)e^{-i\omega t}dt\right)e^{-i\omega t}dt$$ $$= \hat{f(\omega)}\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}e^{-i\omega t}dt$$

but I don't really know where I'm going with this...

• Both are "correct", it depends on the definition – AnalysisStudent0414 Jun 6 '15 at 19:04
• You mean it depends on the definition of the Fourier transform ? Which one is correct if I use the following definition : $\hat{f(\omega)} = \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}f(t)e^{-i\omega t}dt$ – user1234161 Jun 6 '15 at 19:51
• The $2 \pi$ one – AnalysisStudent0414 Jun 6 '15 at 19:52

UPDATE:

The proof below might be wrong, due to a faulty substituion, as pointed out by Dan in the comments.

I marked the equation in question with a question mark.

Original Proof Attempt:

You reuse the $$t$$ and $$\omega$$ variables, also you factor out $$\hat{f}(\omega)$$ while there is an integration running over it and it is not constant. So your derivation might better start like this:

\begin{align} \hat{\hat{f}}(\omega) &= \int\limits_{-\infty}^{+\infty}\hat{f}(t)e^{-i\omega t}dt \\ &= \int\limits_{-\infty}^{+\infty}\int\limits_{-\infty}^{+\infty} f(\tau)e^{-it \tau}d\tau \, e^{-i\omega t}dt \\ &= \int\limits_{-\infty}^{+\infty}\int\limits_{-\infty}^{+\infty} f(\tau)e^{-it (\tau+\omega)}d\tau \, dt \\ \end{align}

Switching integration order gives \begin{align} \hat{\hat{f}}(\omega) &= \int\limits_{-\infty}^{+\infty}\int\limits_{-\infty}^{+\infty} f(\tau)e^{-it (\tau+\omega)}dt \, d\tau \\ &= \int\limits_{-\infty}^{+\infty}\int\limits_{-\infty}^{+\infty} e^{-it (\tau+\omega)}dt \, f(\tau) \, d\tau \\ &{? \atop =} \int\limits_{-\infty}^{+\infty}\int\limits_{-\infty}^{+\infty} e^{-it u}du \, f(\tau) \, d\tau \\ &= \int\limits_{-\infty}^{+\infty} \!\! 2\pi\delta(u) \, f(\tau) d\tau \\ &= 2\pi \int\limits_{-\infty}^{+\infty} \!\! \delta(\tau + \omega) \, f(\tau) d\tau \\ &= 2\pi \int\limits_{-\infty}^{+\infty} \!\! f(\tau) \, \delta(\tau-(-\omega)) \, d\tau \\ &= 2\pi \, f(-\omega) \end{align} where in between a substitution $$u = t + \omega$$ with $$du = dt$$ was used.

• See e.g. Integration by substitution – mvw Jun 6 '15 at 22:48
• So, where does the formula with $2\pi$ come from ? – user1234161 Jun 6 '15 at 23:02
• I fixed the mistake. – mvw Jun 6 '15 at 23:08
• Ok. I still don't understand how $e^{-it(\tau+\omega)}dt = e^{-itu}du$ though... if $u = (t+\omega)$ then $e^{-itu}du = e^{-it^2-it\omega}dt$ ? – user1234161 Jun 6 '15 at 23:34
• You change $\tau + \omega$ to $u$ when you supposedly make the substitution $u = t + \omega$. As written this proof is not correct. – Dan Fox May 31 at 7:43