No label defined (Q4220189)

Evolution of a wave process with memory generated by the momentary point source at a point \(x_0\) is governed by the integro-differential equation in \(\mathbb R^{3+1}\): \[ u_{tt} - \Delta u + \int_0^t k(x,t - \tau)u(x,\tau) d\tau = \delta (x-x_0,t). \] Here \(k(x,t)\) is a continuously differentiable function for \(t>0\) and \(x\in\Omega\), \(\Omega\) is a domain in \(\mathbb{R}^3\), and \(x_0\) is a point in \(\mathbb{R}^3\). The author states and studies, in a linearized statement, the inverse problem of finding the unknown memory \(k(x,t)\) from the backward scattering data. He proves that the linearized problem reduces to a Volterra integral equation of the second kind, when \(k\) is independent of \(x\), and gives an explicit inversion formula for \(k\). The case in which \(k(x,t)\) depends on \(x_3\) also provides solvability of the problem.