Stability estimates for the \(X\)-ray transform of tensor fields and boundary rigidity (Q1880384)

The authors study the following boundary rigidity problem for domains in \(\mathbb{R}^n\): Is a Riemannian metric uniquely determined, up to an action of diffeomorphism fixing the boundary, by the distance function \(\rho_g(x, y)\) known for all boundary points \(x\) and \(y\)? It was conjectured by \textit{R. Michel} [Invent. Math. 65, 71--83 (1981; Zbl 0471.53030)] that this was true for simple metrics. In this paper, they first study the linearized problem that consists of determining a symmetric \(2\)-tensor, up to a potential term, from its geodesic X-ray integral transform \(I_g\). They prove that the normal operator \(N_g= I^*_g I_g\) is a pseudodifferential operator (\(\Psi\)DO) provided that \(g\) is simple, find its principal symbol, identify its kernel, and construct a microlocal parametrix. They also prove a hypoelliptic type of stability estimate related to the linear problem. Finally, they apply this estimate to show that unique solvability of the linear problem for a given simple metric \(g\), up to potential terms, implies local uniqueness for the nonlinear boundary rigidity problem near that \(g\).