An Inverse Diffusion Coefficient Problem for a Parabolic Equation with Integral Constraint

Abstract

We consider a problem of recovering the time-dependent diffusion coefficient in a parabolic system. To ensure uniqueness the system is constrained by the integral of the solution at all times. This problem has applications in geology where the parabolic equation models the accumulation and diffusion of argon in micas. Argon is generated by the decay of potassium and the diffusion is thermally activated. We introduce a time discretization, on which we base an application of Rothe’s method to prove existence of solutions. The numerical scheme corresponding to the semi-discretization exhibits convergence that is consistent with that in Euler’s method.