The method of how to calculate the FWHM.

I have searched extensively on this website and the internet, but all the methods for calculating the FWHM (Full Width at Half Maximum) seem overly complex. I was wondering: can we simplify this by using a cut_index on the X-axis to determine the corresponding Y-axis values?

My idea is that we could compute the FWHM using the formula:

FWHM=(max_Y_value - min_Y_value)/2

and display the result accordingly in the window.

BTW, my sample is just a very simple Gaussian curve.

Would this approach be possible or effective? I’d like to discuss this idea further with the community. Thank you!

Answer 1

[Torsten]

xmax = 0;
ymax = 4;
x = xmax:0.01:3;
f = -x.^2 + ymax;
FWHM = 2*interp1(f,x,ymax/2)

FWHM = 2.8284

Or directly use the inverse function of your Gaussian curve and evaluate it at ymax/2.