An inverse problem, area, and Morse theory (Q1177009)

The authors consider the problem of finding the pair \((u,f)\) from the conditions \[ u_ t=\Delta u+\chi_ D(x)f(t) \hbox { in } \mathbb{R}^ 3\times(0,+\infty),\quad u=0 \hbox { on } \mathbb{R}^ 3\times\{0\},\quad u(p,t)=g(t) \] where \(\chi_ D\) is the characteristic function of a bounded domain \(D\subset\mathbb{R}^ 3\), \(p\in\mathbb{R}^ 3\backslash\overline D\) and \(g\) is a given function. They prove that the conditions of the stability theorem obtained by \textit{J. Cannon} and \textit{S. Pérez-Esteva} [J. Math. Anal. Appl. 147, No. 2, 363-371 (1990; Zbl 0715.35083)] are satisfied if and only if the distance \(\Gamma_ 0\) from \(p\) to \(\partial D\) is a nondegenerate critical value of the distance function to \(\partial D\).