Inverse scattering for time-varying one-dimensional layered media: algorithms and applications (Q4346397)

The inverse scattering problem for a one-dimensional (1D) laterally homogeneous layered medium whose reflection coefficients vary with time, for a two-dimensional (2D) inverse resistivity problem of reconstructing the two-dimensional medium from surface measurements, and the reconstruction of rapidly curing layered media is formulated. Algorithms for solving such problems are presented. The author shows that given the reflection responses to impulsive plane waves incident on the medium at different times, this problem can be solved either by solving a series of nested non-Toeplitz systems of equations, or by propagating a set of coupled layer-stripping algorithms with reflection coefficients varying in time, including all multiple scattering effects. A time-varying discrete Miura transform linking the time-varying discrete wave system inverse scattering problem to a time-varying discrete Schrödinger equation, and an important feasibility condition on the reflection responses which seems to be new in the context of the 2D inverse resistivity problem is presented. A numerical example is provided.