Weak observability for a one-dimensional wave equation for a point-dynamic observation (Q1921538)

The observability for the one-dimensional wave equation on the interval \((0,l)\): \[ u_{tt} = a^2u_{xx}, \quad u(0,t) = u(l,t) = 0, \quad u(x,0) = \varphi(x),\;u_t(x,0) = \psi(x) \] is studied. Here, \(\varphi\) and \(\psi\) denote unknown initial functions. Given the time interval \(T=(\delta,\theta)\subset\overline{R^1_+}\), the measurement is considered along the contour \(\{(X(t),t);\;t\in T\}\), that is, the data: \[ y(t)= u\bigl(X(t), t\bigr), \quad t\in T= (\delta, \theta) \] is observed. The system is called weakly observable over the interval \(T\) if the observed data \(y(t)\) uniquely determines \(\varphi\) and \(\psi\). Since the solution is a travelling wave, the following are defined: \(A^1_T = \min_{t\in T} (at+X(t))\), \(A^2_T = \max_{t\in T} (at+ X(t))\), \(B^1_T= \min_{t\in T} (at-X(t))\), \(B^2_T= \max_{t\in T} (at-X(t))\). A necessary condition for the weak observability is derived in terms of the union of all right- and left-shifts by the multiples of \(2l\) of the intervals \([A^1_T, A^2_T]\) and \([B^1_T, B^2_T]\). A sufficient condition for the weak observability is also derived.