Deconvolution, Derivation, and Smoothing of Spectra Using Fourier Transforms

Most spectrometers are now digitized, and many include a fast, programmable minicomputer. This has opened up the possibility of routine use of sophisticated data processing methods using Fourier transforms. This paper first covers the properties of spectral lines and their Fourier transforms. It then develops the method of Fourier deconvolution, shows the similarity of derivation, and concludes with a section on smoothing using transforms.