This IMA Volume in Mathematics and its Applications GEOMETRIC METHODS IN INVERSE PROBLEMS AND PDE CONTROL contains a selection of articles presented at 2001 IMA Summer Program with the same title. We would like to thank Christopher B. Croke (University of Penn sylva nia), Irena Lasiecka (University of Virginia), Gunther Uhlmann (University of Washington), and Michael S. Vogelius (Rutgers University) for their ex cellent work as organizers of the two-week summer workshop and for editing the volume. We also take this opportunity to thank the National Science Founda tion for their support of the IMA. Series Editors Douglas N. Arnold, Director of the IMA Fadil Santosa, Deputy Director of the IMA v PREFACE This volume contains a selected number of articles based on lectures delivered at the IMA 2001 Summer Program on "Geometric Methods in Inverse Problems and PDE Control. " The focus of this program was some common techniques used in the study of inverse coefficient problems and control problems for partial differential equations, with particular emphasis on their strong relation to fundamental problems of geometry. Inverse coef ficient problems for partial differential equations arise in many application areas, for instance in medical imaging, nondestructive testing, and geophys ical prospecting. Control problems involving partial differential equations may arise from the need to optimize a given performance criterion, e. g. , to dampen out undesirable vibrations of a structure , or more generally, to obtain a prescribed behaviour of the dynamics.
This volume contains a slected number of articles based on lectures delivered at the IMA 2001 Summer Program on Geometric Methods in Inverse Problems and PDE Control. This program was focused on a set of common tools that are used in the study of inverse coefficient problems and control problems for partial differential equations, and in particular on their strong relation to fundamental problems of differential geometry. Examples of such tools are Dirichlet-to-Neumann data boundary maps, unique continuation results, Carleman estimates, microlocal analysis and the so-called boundary control method. Examples of intimately connected fundamental problems in differential geometry are the boundary rigidity problem and the isospectral problem. The present volume provides a broad survey of recent progress concerning inverse and control problems for PDEs and related differential geometric problems. It is hoped that it will also serve as an excellent ``point of departure" for researchers who will want to pursue studies at the intersection of these mathematically exciting, and practically important subjects.
