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CTFT of e^(−2jω₀t)

Short answer

For x(t) = e^{-j2ω₀t}, X(jω) = 2π δ(ω + 2ω₀), a single impulse at ω = –2ω₀.

Let us consider the signal x(t) = e^(−2jω₀t). Find the continuous time Fourier transform of the given signal x(t).

x(t)=e−j2ω0tx(t) = e^{-j2\omega_0 t} is a complex exponential of frequency −2ω0-2\omega_0. It is not absolutely integrable (∣x(t)∣=1|x(t)| = 1 for all tt), so its FT exists only with an impulse.

Step 1: FT of a constant. 1↔2πδ(ω)1 \leftrightarrow 2\pi\delta(\omega), because

12π∫−∞∞2π δ(ω) ejωtdω=1\frac{1}{2\pi}\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}2\pi\,\delta(\omega)\,e^{j\omega t}d\omega = 1

Step 2: frequency shifting property. ejβtx(t)↔X(j(ω−β))e^{j\beta t}x(t) \leftrightarrow X(j(\omega - \beta)). Here β=−2ω0\beta = -2\omega_0:

e−j2ω0t⋅1  ⟷  2π δ(ω+2ω0)e^{-j2\omega_0t}\cdot 1 \;\longleftrightarrow\; 2\pi\,\delta(\omega + 2\omega_0)

Verification by inverse FT:

12π∫−∞∞2π δ(ω+2ω0) ejωtdω=ej(−2ω0)t=e−j2ω0t\frac{1}{2\pi}\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}2\pi\,\delta(\omega + 2\omega_0)\,e^{j\omega t}d\omega = e^{j(-2\omega_0)t} = e^{-j2\omega_0t}

Answer:

X(jω)=2π δ(ω+2ω0)X(j\omega) = 2\pi\,\delta(\omega + 2\omega_0)
              X(jw)
   2*pi ^
        |
--------+--------+--------> w
     -2w0        0

Discussion: The spectrum is a single impulse at ω=−2ω0\omega = -2\omega_0 of strength 2π2\pi. A complex exponential contains only one frequency, so the spectrum has no mirror image at +2ω0+2\omega_0 (a real sinusoid would have impulses at both ±2ω0\pm 2\omega_0).

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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