Inverse problems for partial differential equations (Q5907019)

The book deals with identification problems aimed at finding coefficients in partial differential equations of mathematical physics. The considerations focus on the existence and uniqueness of solutions for different inverse problems that occur when coefficients are to be determined in parabolic and hyperbolic equations as well as in equation systems of composite type. After a helpful collection of basic material from functional analysis and differential equation theory in Chapter 1 and an introduction of the weak approximation method in Chapter 2, the main chapters of the book are devoted to identification problems for specific types of equations. In Chapter 3 the author discusses in seven sections identification problems in the case of parabolic equations with Cauchy data. In this context, equations of Burger's type and the splitting of many-dimensional inverse problems into problems of lower dimension are also considered. Chapter 4 deals among others with the problem of determining source functions for a one-dimensional system of composite type including parabolic and hyperbolic equations of the first order. Such systems occur in mechanical models and models of inhomogeneous liquids. The remaining Chapters~5-7 consider solution properties of the identification of one and two coefficients in a parabolic type equation and specific inverse boundary value problems. All the material presented in the book was used for giving special mathematics lectures at Krasnoyarsk State University. Unfortunately, the reader of the book cannot get a sufficient information about the international development of inverse problem theory concerning partial differential equations, since only the extensive Russian research in this field is appreciated in detail. The reference list is also very partial. Important monographs as \textit{G. Anger} [Inverse problems in differential equations (Akademie-Verlag, Berlin) (1990; Zbl 0707.35157] or \textit{V. Isakov} [Inverse source problems (AMS, Providence) (1990; Zbl 0721.31002)] are not mentioned. Note that it was difficult to read Chapter~5, since ten pages were completely missing in the book.