The discrete fractional Fourier transform

Abstract

We propose and consolidate a definition of the discrete fractional Fourier transform that generalizes the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) in the same sense that the continuous fractional Fourier transform generalizes the continuous ordinary Fourier transform. This definition is based on a particular set of eigenvectors of the DFT matrix, which constitutes the discrete counterpart of the set of Hermite-Gaussian functions. The definition is exactly unitary, index additive, and reduces to the DFT for unit order. The fact that this definition satisfies all the desirable properties expected of the discrete fractional Fourier transform supports our confidence that it will be accepted as the definitive definition of this transform.