Probability distributions related to power spectra.

Abstract

Power-spectrum techniques are becoming an increasingly important tool of the astronomer. Probability distributions for the power obtained from a power-spectrum analysis are derived for the case where the power consists of a signal component as well as a noise component. Knowledge of these distributions is necessary when obtaining limits on threshold signals. Figures giving percentage points of the distributions are presented for selected values of the parameters. Subject headings: functions pulsars-pulsation