In mathematics, the Dirichlet conditions are sufficient conditions for a real-valued, periodic function f to be equal to the sum of its Fourier series at each point where f is continuous. Moreover, the behavior of the Fourier series at points of discontinuity is determined as well (it is the midpoint of the values of the discontinuity). These conditions are named after Peter Gustav Lejeune Dirichlet.
A set of Dirichlet conditions, for the covergence of Fourier series of a periodic function [math]\displaystyle{ f }[/math], are:[1][2]
We state Dirichlet's theorem assuming f is a periodic function of period 2π with Fourier series coefficients [math]\displaystyle{ a_n = \frac{1}{2\pi} \int_{-\pi}^\pi f(x) e^{-inx}\, dx. }[/math]
The analogous statement holds irrespective of what the period of f is, or which version of the Fourier series is chosen.
Dirichlet's theorem — If f satisfies Dirichlet conditions, then for all x, we have that the series obtained by plugging x into the Fourier series is convergent, and is given by [math]\displaystyle{ \sum_{n = -\infty}^\infty a_n e^{inx} = \frac{f(x^+) + f(x^-)}{2}, }[/math] where the notation [math]\displaystyle{ f(x^+) = \lim_{y \to x^+} f(y) }[/math] [math]\displaystyle{ f(x^-) = \lim_{y \to x^-} f(y) }[/math] denotes the right/left limits of f.[1]
A function satisfying Dirichlet's conditions must have right and left limits at each point of discontinuity, or else the function would need to oscillate at that point, violating the condition on maxima/minima. Note that at any point where f is continuous, [math]\displaystyle{ \frac{f(x^+) + f(x^-)}{2} = f(x). }[/math]
Thus Dirichlet's theorem says in particular that under the Dirichlet conditions the Fourier series for f converges to f(x) wherever f is continuous.
If the period of a periodic signal tends to infinity then Fourier series becomes Fourier transform. Fourier transforms of periodic (e.g., sine and cosine) functions also exist in the distributional sense which can be expressed using the Dirac delta function. A set of Dirichlet conditions, for the covergence of Fourier transform of an aperiodic function [math]\displaystyle{ g }[/math], are:[1][2]