On Inverses of the Dirac Comb

Abstract

We determine tempered distributions which convolved with a Dirac comb yield unity and tempered distributions which multiplied with a Dirac comb yield a Dirac delta. Solutions of these equations have numerous applications. They allow the reversal of discretizations and periodizations applied to tempered distributions. One of the difficulties is the fact that Dirac combs cannot be multiplied or convolved with arbitrary functions or distributions. We use a theorem of Laurent Schwartz to overcome this difficulty and variants of Lighthills unitary functions to solve these equations. The theorem we prove states that double-sided (time/frequency) smooth partitions of unity are required to neutralize discretizations and periodizations on tempered distributions.