Stability of a one-dimensional inverse source scattering problem in a multi-layered medium (Q6115627)

The paper deals with a stability result on an inverse source scattering problem for a one-dimensional Helmholtz equation in multiple layers. The following Helmholtz equation is considered: \[ -u''(x,\omega)-\kappa^2(x)u(x,\omega) = f(x)\,,\quad x\in(-1,1)\,, \] where \(\omega>0\) is the angular frequency, the source function \(f\) has compact support within the interval \((-1,1)\) and the wave number \(\kappa(x)\) is equal to \(\kappa_j = c_j \omega\), \(j=1,\dots, n\) in the interval \((x_{j-1},x_j)\) with \(-1 = x_0 <x_1<\dots <x_{n-1}<x_n = 1\). Certain boundary conditions are assumed at \(x=-1\) and \(x=1\). The following inverse problem is considered. If \(f\) is a real function with compact support, the aim is to recover \(f\) using the values \(u(x_j, \omega)\), \(u'(x_j,\omega)\), \(j = 0, \dots, n\) for \(\omega\in(0,K)\), with \(K>1\) being a constant. The main result of the paper is a stability estimate for the inverse source problem. The authors find the Green's function for a \(n\)-layered medium, using which they find the upper bound for the source function. The authors conclude that ``the stability consists of a Lipschitz stability term for low frequencies and a logarithmically unstable term for high frequencies''.