An inverse problem for the one-dimensional wave equation in multilayer media (Q2471362)

Let \(0= h_0< h_1<\cdots< h_{N-1}< h_N= \infty\) and let \(a_k\) and \(b_k\), \(k= 1,\dots, N\) be positive constants representing the speed of waves through the medium \((h_{k-1}, h_k)\) and the impedance of this medium, respectively. Fix \(y\in(0, h_1)\) and assume that \(a_1> 0\) and \(b_1> 0\) are given. Then the inverse problem for the wave equation in a multilayered medium considered in the paper requires to find the impedances \(b_{k+1}\) and the rates \((h_k- h_{k-1})/a_k\) for \(k= 1,\dots,(N-1)\) satisfying the following equations \[ (u_{tt}- a^2_1 u_{xx})(t, x)= \delta(t, x-y),\quad t> 0,\;x\in (0,h_1), \] \[ u_x(t, 0)= 0,\quad t> 0, \] \(u(t,0)= v(t)\), \(t> 0\), \(v(t)=\) given function, \((u_{tt}- a^2_k u_{xx})(t, x)= 0\), \(t> 0\), \(x\in(h_{k-1}, h_k)\) for \(k= 2,\dots, N\), \[ \lim_{x\nearrow h_k} u(t, x)= \lim_{x\searrow h_k} u(t, x)\quad\text{for }k= 1,\dots,(N-1),\;t> 0, \] \[ a_kb_k \lim_{x\nearrow h_k} u_x(t, x)= a_{k+1} b_{k+1} \lim_{x\searrow h_k} u_x(t, x)\text{ for }k= 1,\dots,(N-1),\;t> 0, \] where \(\delta\) is the Dirac-delta function. The solution for \(b_{k+1}\) and \((h_k- h_{k-1})/a_k\) for \(k= 1,\dots,(N-1)\) is found explicitly.