Padé approximations in noise filtering (Q1919059)

The author shows on a generic example how the specific distribution of the zeros and the poles of the Padé approximations in the complex plane allow noise filtering. The author has analzyed the inelastic cross-sections of electrons on rare gases, \(X_e, K_r\), and \(A_r\), \(e+A\to e+A^*\) at few hundred electron-volt. He applies the Thiele algorithm (Padé approximation of type II) to those data which are known to belong to an analytic function in a cut plane \(-\infty\) to 0. In this case, the poles and zeros split into three families: i) Doublet pole-zero at a distance of the order of the computer roundoff. ii) Doublet pole-zero at a distance of the order of the noise in the experimental data. iii) Remaining poles and zeros compatible with the analytic structure of the experimentally measured function. By throwing away the first two families of poles and zeros (noisy ones), the author is able to obtain an excellent filtering of the data compatible with the analytic structure of the analyzed function.