Inverse scattering theory for one-dimensional Schrödinger operators with steplike finite-gap potentials (Q1001392)

In this article, the authors develop the direct and inverse scattering theory for one-dimensional Schrödinger operators with steplike potentials which are asymptotically close to different gap potentials on different half-axes. Potentials under study in this article can mimic conditions in some mixed materials. The authors give a complete characterization of the scattering data, which allows unique solvability of the inverse scattering problem in the class of perturbations with finite second moment. They prove the uniqueness of the reconstructed potential. The final section of the paper is devoted to the Korteweg--de Vries equation with steplike finite gap initial data. They sketch a possible approach, but as the authors mention, the problem remains open.