Inverse problem for a class of one-dimensional wave equations with piecewise constant coefficients

We consider the problem of reconstructing the piecewise constant coefficient of a one-dimensional wave equation on the halfline from the knowledge of the displacement on the boundary caused by an impulse at time zero. This problem is formulated as a nonlinear optimization problem. The objective function of this optimization problem has several special features that have been exploited in building an ad hoc optimization method. The optimization method is based on the solution of a nonlinear system of equations by an algorithm consisting of the evaluation of the unknowns one by one.The research of the third author has been made possible through the support and sponsorship of the Italian Government through the Ministero Pubblica Istruzione under Contract M.P.I. 60% 1987 at the Università di Roma—La Sapienza.