- #1
semc
- 368
- 5
- TL;DR Summary
- Does new frequencies get generated when the signal is modulated?
Suppose I have a pure sine wave. Upon Fourier transforming (FT) the time signal, I obtain a delta function in the frequency domain. If I subsequently modulate this sine wave with another function, for instance, a Gaussian, the delta function in the frequency domain will broaden. I'm curious whether this broadening is purely a mathematical artifact or if new frequencies genuinely emerge during the modulation process. If new frequencies are actually generated, what is the physical mechanism that generates these new frequencies?