Small parameter method in multidimensional inverse problems (Q1291244)

``In this book, the basic method for studying multidimensional inverse problems is the small parameter method (the asymptotic method) \(\dots\) The application of the asymptotic methods for solving multidimensional inverse problems has the following sense. Each complicated problem has its simpler analog which is investigated, as usual, in more detail. As such analogs for multidimensional problems, we shall use, as a rule, the corresponding one-dimensional inverse problems.'' (From the introduction.) The monograph is a rather theoretical textbook preferably aimed at handling inverse problems in partial differential equations from an analytic point of view. In Chap. 1 the author defines the notion of asymptotic convergence of a functional sequence \(\{v_k\}\) to a function \(v\) both depending on a parameter \(\varepsilon\) \((0<\varepsilon \leq\varepsilon^*)\) by the inequality \[ \bigl\| v_k (\varepsilon) -v(\varepsilon) \bigr\|< C_{k+1} \varepsilon^{k+1} \] for constants \(C_k\) \((k=0,1, \dots)\) independent of \(\varepsilon\). Moreover, he gives an alternative definition which is equivalent under some additional conditions. Chap. 2 presents asymptotic models for concrete equations of mathematical physics in differential and integral form. So we find asymptotic models for the Helmholtz equation, for a gravimetry problem, for a problem of geometric optics and for the Maxwell equations system. Moreover, a dual asymptotic approach is discussed. Based on the asymptotic representations constructed in Chap. 2 some iterative methods for the solution of multidimensional inverse problems are outlined in Chap. 3. There are suggested several ways of solving an inverse problem written as an operator equation \[ A(z)=u \] by using approximate equations \[ A_\varepsilon(z)= u(\varepsilon), \] where in practice \(u(\varepsilon)\) represented in the form of asymptotically converging series is known only for one value \(\varepsilon_0\) of the parameter \(\varepsilon\). The author expresses his opinion that the best method for solving ill-posed problems when realizing the iterative asymptotic method is the quasi-solution method and gives sufficient conditions for the uniqueness of solutions obtained by this method. In Chap. 3 there are also given conditions for the application of the iterative asymptotic method for solving multidimensional problems. The examples of Chap. 2 are handled in detail by this method. Practical aspects of the method are finally mentioned in the brief Chap. 4. The bibliography of 97 items covers predominantly books and papers which have been written in Russian language or which have been translated from the Russian. Unfortunately, the monograph is difficult to read, since in any chapter the numbering of formulas is consecutively, whereas all mentioned formula refer to a separate counting system of sections. Consequently, almost all formula references do not fit and reader's imagination is required throughout the book.