Residual of an inverse problem Created 2026-10-05 Updated 2026-10-06
The residual is the difference between predicted and observed data. Its norm measures data misfit and can determine an iteration stopping rule for regularization of an inverse problem.
If measured far-field patterns determine a density and its Herglotz wave function equals a prescribed spherical wave on the obstacle boundary, that trace identity can locate the boundary. A star-shaped axisymmetric obstacle can be represented by one radial function . Numerically, expand and in suitable bases, match the far-field constraints, and minimize the complex boundary residual at angular collocation points, using regularization of an inverse problem for noise and small singular values. A single scalar pairing constraint alone does not determine an arbitrary density.