Phase and amplitude spectra in the analysis of signal peak latency

In the search for parameters to quantify clinically significant characteristics of signal shape (for example in evoked potentials), the Fourier Transform has been employed, with the amplitude spectrum having received main attention. However, the phase spectrum appears to be more closely linked to signal shape and principally peak latency. In this paper the still poorly explored relative roles of the two parts of the spectrum in determining transient signal morphology is investigated.