On mathematical problems of two-coefficient inverse problems of ultrasonic tomography

Abstract

This paper proves the theorem of uniqueness for the solution of a coefficient inverse problem for the wave equation in (with two unknown coefficients: speed of sound and absorption. The original nonlinear coefficient inverse problem is reduced to an equivalent system of two uniquely solvable linear integral equations of the first kind with respect to the sound speed and absorption coefficients. Estimates are made, substantiating the multistage method for two unknown coefficients. These estimates show that given sufficiently low frequencies and small inhomogeneities, the residual functional for the nonlinear inverse problem approaches a convex one. This solution method for nonlinear coefficient inverse problems is not linked to the limit approach as frequency tends to zero, but assumes solving the inverse problem using sufficiently low, but not zero, frequencies at the first stage. For small inhomogeneities that are typical, for instance, for medical tasks, carrying out real experiments at such frequencies does not present major difficulties. The capabilities of the method are demonstrated on a model inverse problem with unknown sound speed and absorption coefficients. The method effectively solves the nonlinear problem with parameter values typical for tomographic diagnostics of soft tissues in medicine. A resolution of approximately 2 mm was achieved using an average sounding pulse wavelength of 5 mm.