Basics of Fourier Analysis for High-Energy Astronomy

TL;DR

This paper provides a concise introduction to Fourier analysis fundamentals, essential for understanding time variability in high-energy astronomy data, serving as a theoretical primer for researchers.

Contribution

It offers a simplified, foundational overview of Fourier analysis concepts tailored for high-energy astronomy applications, bridging the gap to practical data analysis tools.

Findings

Clarifies core Fourier analysis principles for astronomical data.

Highlights importance of time variability analysis in high-energy astronomy.

Serves as a theoretical basis for advanced analysis techniques.

Abstract

The analysis of time variability, whether fast variations on time scales well below the second or slow changes over years, is becoming more and more important in high-energy astronomy. Many sophisticated tools are available for data analysis and complex practical aspects are described in technical papers. Here, we present the basic concepts upon which all these techniques are based. It is intended as a condensed primer of Fourier analysis, dealing with fundamental aspects that can be examined in detailed elsewhere. It is not intended to be a presentation of detailed Fourier tools for data analysis, but the reader will find the theoretical basis to understand available analysis techniques.