Paper detail

Coefficient identification in parabolic equations with final data

In this work we determine the second-order coefficient in a parabolic equation from the knowledge of a single final data. Under assumptions on the concentration of eigenvalues of the associated elliptic operator, and the initial state, we show the uniqueness of solution, and we derive a Lipschitz stability estimate for the inversion when the final time is large enough. The Lipschitz stability constant grows exponentially with respect to the final time, which makes the inversion ill-posed. The proof of the stability estimate is based on a spectral decomposition of the solution to the parabolic equation in terms of the eigenfunctions of the associated elliptic operator, and an ad hoc method to solve a nonlinear stationary transport equation that is itself of interest.