0
$\begingroup$

I want to get a closed/ semi-closed form of the integral given below.

$$ \int_{-\infty}^{+\infty} \exp{\left(-\frac{(x - \mu)^2}{2\sigma^2}\right)} \text{erf}\left(\alpha \frac{x-\mu}{\sqrt{2}\sigma}\right) \exp{(i x \tau)} dx$$

Where $\text{erf}$ is the error function and $i = \sqrt{-1}$. As $\text{erf}$ itself is an integral, this is a double integral already.

I came across this integral because I wanted to derive an equation that is the Fourier Transform of a skewed Gaussian function.

$$ \exp{\left(-\frac{(x - \mu)^2}{2\sigma^2}\right)} \left( 1 + \text{erf}\left(\alpha \frac{x-\mu}{\sqrt{2}\sigma}\right) \right) $$

the first term is a regular Gaussian function. The second term is a complicated one because it has the error function also. Is there a way to approximate the skewed Gaussian function so that it could have a Fourier Transform based on the parameters $\alpha, \mu$ and $\sigma$ ?

$\endgroup$
4
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ there is little hope for a "closed" form (or even some reduction to a special function), not even if $\mu=0$. $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 20, 2023 at 14:25
  • $\begingroup$ I am adding a new purpose based on approximations. $\endgroup$
    – CfourPiO
    Commented Jan 23, 2023 at 9:23
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ That’s a slight improvement — but why do you want a Fourier transform of this, or a closed form for the transform? $\endgroup$
    – user44143
    Commented Jan 23, 2023 at 14:03
  • $\begingroup$ I want to construct a covariance function of a signal that has a skewed Gaussian like power spectrum. The covariance function is nothing but the inverse Fourier of the power spectrum. That is why I wanted this. A closed form would help because of computational issues. $\endgroup$
    – CfourPiO
    Commented Jan 23, 2023 at 15:14

0

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.