Inverse problems for a generalized fractional

diffusion equation with unknown history

arXiv:2402.00482v1 [math-ph] 1 Feb 2024

Jaan Janno∗

Abstract
Inverse problems for a diffusion equation containing a generalized
fractional derivative are studied. The equation holds in a time interval
(0, T ) and it is assumed that a state u (solution of diffusion equation)
and a source f are known for t ∈ (t0 , T ) where t0 is some number in
(0, T ). Provided that f satisfies certain restrictions, it is proved that
product of a kernel of the derivative with an elliptic operator as well
as the history of f for t ∈ (0, t0 ) are uniquely recovered. In case of
less restrictions on f the uniqueness of the kernel and the history of
f is shown. Moreover, in a case when a functional of u for t ∈ (t0 , T )
is given the uniqueness of the kernel is proved under unknown history
of f .

Keywords: fractional diffusion equation, inverse problem, general-

ized fractional derivative

1 Introduction
In many cases a relative irregularity in a direct problem increases in-
formativeness in an inverse problem. For example, the smoother the
kernel of a Volterra equation of the first kind, the bigger the degree
of the ill-posedness of the equation [1]. Another example is the recon-
struction of a penetrable obstacle from far field pattern of a scattered
single incident wave. The uniqueness has been proved in case of some
obstacles with corners [2, 3], but in the general case it is open.
As a third example, let us mention a problem to reconstruct a
space-dependent source function of a fractional diffusion equation from
a measured state at a final time value t = T over the space. The so-
lution of this problem is unique [4]. If an initial state of the process is
relatively less smooth than the source, then the final data contain suffi-
cient information to recover simultaneously the source and an order of
the fractional derivative α [5]. The proof of uniqueness is decomposed
∗
Department of Cybernetics. Tallinn University of Technology. Ehitajate tee 5, 19086
Tallinn, Estonia. E-mail: jaan.janno@taltech.ee

1
into 2 stages: 1) uniqueness of α and 2) uniqueness of the source.
Similar results were obtained for inverse problems for fractional wave
equations [6] and problems with unknown final time T [7].
In [8] an inverse problem to reconstruct a time- and space depen-
dent source f of a generalized fractional diffusion equation by means of
overdetermination in a left neighborhood (t0 , T ) of the final time value
T was considered. It was shown that given values of f and the state u
for t ∈ (t0 , T ), the history of f is uniquely recovered for t ∈ (0, t0 ). Let
us suppose that we have a possibility to choose f for t ∈ (t0 , T ) and
ask: can we do it so that the measured u in (t0 , T ) contains sufficient
information to recover simultaneously the history of f and parame-
ters of the equation? In this paper we will show that this is possible
provided f is a non-analytic with respect to t function of special form,
namely such that f ≡ 0 for t ∈ (t0 , t1 ) and f 6≡ 0 for t ∈ (t1 , T ), where
t1 is some number between t0 and T . A proof of uniqueness consists
of 2 stages. Firstly, thanks to the assumed irregularity of f , we can
exclude the unknown history and prove the uniqueness of the param-
eters. After that we prove the uniqueness of the history of source.
In addition, we will study the uniqueness of a problem to identify a
kernel contained in the generalized fractional diffusion equation from
a measured functional of the state for t ∈ (t0 , T ) in case the source is
unknown for t ∈ (0, t0 ).
Let us give an overview of other studies in the field of inverse
source problems for fractional diffusion equations. Several papers [9,
10, 11, 12] deal with reconstruction of time-dependent components
of the sources making use of different measurements over time. The
paper [13] is concerned with the reconstruction of the source function
that depends on time and part of spatial variables from boundary
measurements over the time. In [14, 15, 16] determination source
functions in a form of separated variables under overdetermination in
subdomains or portions of boundary is studied.

2 Physical background. Formulation

of problems and overview of results
Fractional (and generalized fractional) diffusion equations are widely
used to model anomalous diffusion processes in biology, social sci-
ences, engineering sciences etc. [17, 18, 19]. There are several ways
to derive such equations. Some methods are based on continuous
time random walk [20] or particle flows [18]. A more classical ap-
proach
R t [21] presumes a constitutive relation with memory Q(t, x) =
∂ d , d ∈ N,
− ∂t 0 M (t − τ )∇u(τ, x)dτ, where t > 0 is the time, x ∈ R
is a space variable, Q is the flux, u is a state variable and M is a
memory kernel. Plugging this relation into the conservation equation
∂
∂t u+div Q = f , where f is the source, we reach the following diffusion

2
equation:
∂ ∂
u(t, x) − M ∗ ∆u(t, x) = f (t, x), (1)
∂t ∂t
where ∗ stands for the time convolution, i.e.
Z t
v1 ∗ v2 (t) = v1 (t − τ )v2 (τ )dτ,
0

and ∆ is the Laplacian.

∂
The operator ∂t M ∗ is a generalized fractional derivative with the
α−1
kernel M . In the case of the usual fractional diffusion, M (t) = c tΓ(α) ,
∂
0 < α < 1, c > 0, Then ∂t M ∗ = cD 1−α , where D 1−α is the Riemann-
Liouville fractional derivative of the order 1 − α and the equation (1)
∂
takes the form ∂t u − cD 1−α ∆u = f . Such an equation is self-similar,
i.e. rescaling the time does not change the type of memory. However,
several anomalous diffusion processes are not self-similar. Then other
memory functions are used. One example is the kernel of distributed
fractional derivative
Z 1 α−1
t
M (t) = dp(α), (2)
0 Γ(α)

where p(α) is a nonnegative Borel measure [22, 23]. This includes as

particular cases the kernels of multiterm fractional derivatives M (t) =
Pn tαl −1
l=1 κl Γ(αl ) , κl > 0, 1 > α1 > . . . > αn > 0, and the kernels of the
R1 α−1
form M (t) = 0 κ(α) tΓ(α) dα, κ 6= 0, κ ≥ 0. Another example is the
kernel of tempered fractional derivative [24, 25]

tα−1
M (t) = ce−λt , 0 < α < 1, λ > 0, c > 0. (3)
Γ(α)

The kernels (2) and (3) belong to the following space of integrable
at t = 0 completely monotonic functions:

CM = M : M ∈ L1,loc (0, ∞) ∩ C ∞ (0, ∞),
(4)
(−1)n M (n) (t) ≥ 0, t > 0, n = 0, 1, 2, . . . .

Moreover, they satisfy the condition limt→0+ M (t) = ∞.

If M ∈ CM and limt→0+ M (t) = ∞ then the Sonine equation

M ∗ K(t) = 1, t > 0, (5)

has the unique solution in K ∈ L1,loc (0, ∞) and this solution has the
properties K ∈ CM, limt→0+ K(t) = ∞ ([26], Theorem 3) In such a
case the equation (1) can be transformed to the following equation
that contains the explicit Laplacian:
∂
K∗ u(t, x) − ∆u(t, x) = K ∗ f (t, x). (6)
∂t

3
 α−1 −α
If M (t) = c tΓ(α) , 0 < α < 1, then the solution of (5) is K(t) = 1c Γ(1−α)
t

and (6) involves the Caputo fractional derivative of the order α. To the
author’s opinion, the form (6) of the fractional generalized diffusion
equation prevails in mathematical literature. If M (and therefore also
K) are known, then it is possible to switch from (1) to (6) and vice
versa. But if M is unknown then it is preferable to work with the
equation (1).
If in addition to the diffusion a linear reaction occurs then the
term ∆u in (1) is complemented with an addend au(x), where −a is
the speed of the reaction [18, 27]. Moreover, in models of anisotropic
anomalous
Pd diffusion Pmore general elliptic operators of the form
∂2 d ∂
l,m=1 alm ∂xl ∂xm + l=1 al ∂xl occur [28]. In this paper we will con-
sider the following equation:
∂ ∂
u(t, x) − M ∗ A [a]u(t, x) = f (t, x), (7)
∂t ∂t
where
d
X d X
∂2 ∂
A [a]v(x) = alm (x) v(x)+ al (x) v(x)+a(x)v(x), (8)
∂xl ∂xm ∂xl
l,m=1 l=1


a = (alm )|l,m=1,...,d , (al )|l=1,...,d , a .

In equations modelling nonlocal in space diffusion processes frac-

tional or generalized fractional elliptic operators are involved [23, 29,
30]. Another equation that we will consider in our paper is the fol-
lowing one:
∂ ∂
u(t, x) − M ∗ A̺,a u(t, x) = f (t, x), (9)
∂t ∂t
R1
where A̺,a = − 0 (−∆ − aI)β d̺(β) is a distributed fractional elliptic
operator defined in Subsection 4.2.
Let u solve either (7) or (9) in (0, T ) × Ω, where T > 0, Ω ⊂ Rd .
Assume that f and u are sufficiently smooth, u(t, ·) belongs to a set
where the space operator (i.e. A [a] or A̺,a , respectively) is injective
and M ∈ CM† , where

CM† = {M ∈ CM : the Laplace transform of M

(10)
cannot be meromorphically extended to the whole complex plane}.

Moreover, suppose that f |(t0 ,T )×Ω and u|(t0 ,T )×Ω are given, where t0 is
some number in (0, T ). Then history of f and u is uniquely recovered
in (0, t0 ) × Ω [8].
This result is valid in case of the kernels (2) and (3), because they
belong to CM† [8].
In the present paper we will find conditions for f |(t0 ,T )×Ω such that
in addition to the history of f and u parameters of the equation (i.e.
M and elliptic operators) are uniquely recovered by f |(t0 ,T )×Ω and
u|(t0 ,T )×Ω .

4
 We will work with inverse problems for an abstract equation
d
dt [u(t) − AM ∗ u(t)] = f (t), t ∈ (0, T ), in a Banach space X, where
A is a sectorial operator. In next section we will deduce some aux-
iliary results and in Subsection 4.1 we will prove Theorem 1 that es-
tablishes the uniqueness for a problem to determine simultaneously
f , u and M A provided f |(t0 ,T ) and u|(t0 ,T ) are given and f |(t0 ,T )
satisfies certain restrictions. In Subsection 4.2 we will apply this
∂
result to equations ∂t [u(t, x) − A [a]M ∗ u(t, x)](t, x) = f (t, x) and
∂
∂t [u(t, x) − A̺,a M ∗ u(t, x)] = f (t, x) that are weaker forms of (7)
and (9), respectively. There Corollaries 1 - 3 provide the uniqueness
of parameters of A [a] and A̺,a , too. In Subsection 5.1 we will study
uniqueness of a problem to determine simultaneously f , u and M from
the same data in case of less restrictions on f |(t0 ,T ) (Theorem 2) and
in Subsection 5.2 we will prove the uniqueness for a problem to recover
M provided f and a functional of u are given in (t0 , T ) (Theorem 3).
In the latter case the unique reconstruction of history of f and u may
in general not be possible. The final Section 6 contains conclusions.

3 Preliminaries
Let X be a complex Banach space, X ∗ its dual and B(X) the space of
linear bounded operators in X. We will denote the norms in X and
B(X) by k · k and the pairing X ∗ × X 7→ C by h·, ·i.
Further, let A : D(A) 7→ X be a linear closed densely defined
operator in X. Let us denote by XA the set D(A) endowed with the
graph norm kxkA = kxk + kAxk. Since A is closed, XA is a Banach
space with respect to this norm.
Suppose that M ∈ L1,loc (0, ∞) and consider the following equa-
tion:

v(t) − AM ∗ v(t) = g(t), t ∈ [0, T ] (11)

in the space X.
A family of operators S : [0, ∞) 7→ B(X) is called the resolvent of
(11) if S(t) is strongly continuous in [0, ∞) and

S(t)x ∈ D(A), AS(t)x = S(t)Ax, t ∈ [0, ∞), for x ∈ D(A),

S(t)x − M ∗ AS(t)x = x, t ∈ [0, ∞), for x ∈ D(A). (12)

We formulate a lemma regarding the equation (11).

Lemma 1 ([31], Proposition 1.2) Let (11) have a resolvent. Then the
following assertions are valid.
(i) (uniqueness) If v ∈ C([0, T ]; X) satisfy M ∗ v ∈ C([0, T ]; XA ) and
solve v(t) − AM ∗ v(t) = 0, t ∈ [0, T ], then v = 0.
(ii) If g ∈ W11 ((0, T ); X) then the function

v(t) = S(t)g(0) + S ∗ g ′ (t) (13)

5
 belongs to C([0, T ]; X), satisfies M ∗ v ∈ C([0, T ]; XA ) and is a
solution of (11).
(iii) If g ∈ W11 ((0, T ); XA ) then v defined by (13) belongs to C([0, T ]; XA )
and is a solution of the stronger equation

v(t) − M ∗ Av(t) = g(t), t ∈ [0, T ].

Next we are going to establish sufficient conditions for the existence

of the resolvent of (11) and its analyticity. To this end we introduce
additional notation. Denote

Σ(ω, θ) = {z ∈ C \ {ω} : | arg(z − ω)| < θ}, ω ∈ R, θ ∈ (0, π].

Let ω ∈ R, θ ∈ (0, π/2]. The say that the operator A belongs to a

class S(ω, θ) if
π C π
ρ(A) ⊃ Σ(ω, + θ), ∃C > 0 : k(λI − A)−1 k ≤ , λ ∈ Σ(ω, + θ).
2 |λ − ω| 2
We mention that S(ω, θ) is the class of sectorial operators that gener-
ate analytic semigroups [32].
Let ψ : [0, ∞) 7→ Y , where Y is a complex Banach space and
e−σt ψ ∈ L1 ((0, ∞); X) for some σ ∈ R. By ψb we denote the Laplace
transform of ψ, i.e.
Z ∞
b
ψ(s) = e−st ψ(t)dt, s ∈ C : Re s > σ.
0

Lemma 2 Let M ∈ CM. Then M c(s) is analytically extendable to

Σ(0, π). Moreover, for any θ ∈ (0, π) there exists a nonincreasing
function µM,θ : (0, ∞) 7→ (0, ∞) such that lim µM,θ (ρ) = 0 and
ρ→∞
c(s)| ≤ µM,θ (|s|), | arg s| ≤ θ.
|M

Proof. Since M is completely monotonic, due to the Bernstein’s the-

orem,
R ∞ −tτthere exists a nonnegative Borel measure q such Rthat M (t) =
∞ 1
0 e dq(τ ). The inclusion M ∈ L 1,loc (0, ∞) implies δ τ dq(τ )<
∞ for any δ > 0. We have
Z ∞ Z ∞ Z ∞
c −st −tτ 1
M (s) = e e dq(τ ) = dq(τ ), Re s > 0. (14)
0 0 0 s+τ
Let θ ∈ (0, π). For any s such that | arg s| ≤ θ and τ > 0 we have
τ τ τ
=p ≤p ≤ cθ ,
|s + τ | |s|2 + 2|s|τ cos arg s + τ 2 |s|2 + 2|s|τ cos θ + τ 2
q
1
where cθ = 1 if θ ≤ π2 and cθ = 1−cos2 θ
if θ > π2 . Moreover, if
|s| |s|
0<τ < 2 then |s + τ | > 2 . Therefore, we obtain
Z ∞ Z |s| Z ∞
1 2 2 1
dq(τ ) ≤ dq(τ ) + cθ dq(τ ) < ∞, | arg s| ≤ θ.
0 |s + τ | |s| 0
|s| τ
2

6
 R∞ 1
Therefore, 0 s+τ dq(τ ) defines an analytic function of s in Σ(0, θ).
R∞ 1
Since θ ∈ (0, π) is arbitrary, 0 s+τ dq(τ ) is analytic Σ(0, π). This
c
with (14) proves that M (s) isRanalytically extendable to Σ(0, π). Fur-
∞
ther, let us define µ0M,θ (̺) = 0 P (̺, τ )dq(τ ), where
 ̺
 √ 1
if τ > 2
̺2 +2̺τ cos θ+τ 2
P (̺, τ ) =
 2
if 0 < τ < ̺2 .
̺

Then |Mc(s)| ≤ µ0 (|s|) if | arg s| ≤ θ. The function P (̺, τ ) ap-

M,θ
proaches 0 as ̺ → ∞ for any τ1 > 0 and is bounded by the integrable
max{cθ ; 1} τ if τ > 1
function B(τ ) = for ̺ > 2. Due to the
1 if 0 < τ < 1
dominated convergence theorem, lim µ0M,θ (ρ) = 0. Finally, we define
ρ→∞
µM,θ (ρ) = sup µ0M,θ (λ). The proof is complete. 
λ>ρ
Similarly to the resolvent of (11) we can define a resolvent of the
perturbed equation v(t) − AM ∗ v(t) − b ∗ v(t) = g(t), where b ∈
L1,loc (0, ∞). This is a family of operators S : [0, ∞) 7→ B(X) that is
strongly continuous in [0, ∞), S(t)x ∈ D(A), AS(t)x = S(t)Ax, t ∈
[0, ∞) for x ∈ D(A) and S(t)x − M ∗ AS(t)x − b ∗ S(t)x = x, t ∈
[0, ∞) for x ∈ D(A).

Lemma 3 Let A0 ∈ S(0, θ), θ ∈ (0, π2 ], M ∈ CM, b ∈ L1,loc (0, ∞).

Then the equation

v(t) − A0 M ∗ v(t) − b ∗ v(t) = g(t) (15)

has a resolvent S(t). It can be represented by the series

∞
X
S(t) = Gn (t), (16)
n=0

where Gn : [0, ∞) 7→ B(X), k ∈ {0}∪N, is a family of operators whose

Laplace transforms can be analytically extended to the set Σ(0, π2 + θ)
and have the formulas

bn (s) = (1 + rb(s))(b 1 c(s)A0 )−1

G r (s))n (I − M
s
×(Mc(s)A0 (I − M c(s)A0 )−1 )n , s ∈ Σ(0, π + θ), (17)
2
and r is the solution of the integral equation r = b + b ∗ r. Moreover,

c(s)A0 )−1 k ≤ C2 , s ∈ Σ(0, π + θ)

k(I − M (18)
2
with some constant C2 .

Proof. The assumption A0 ∈ S(0, θ), θ ∈ (0, π2 ], implies that A0

generates a semigroup that is analytic and bounded in Σ(0, θ) [32].

7
Due to this property and the assumption M ∈ CM, Corollary 2.4 of
[31] implies that (15) with b = 0 has a resolvent S0 (t) that is bounded
and analytic in Σ(0, θ). This fact with Theorem 2.1 of [31] implies
the relations c1 ∈ ρ(A0 ), s ∈ Σ(0, π2 + θ), and the estimate (18).
M (s)
Further, the existence of the resolvent S(t) of (15) follows from the
mentioned properties of S0 (t) and b ∈ L1,loc (0, ∞) from Theorem 2.3
of [31]. The formulas (16) and (17) are contained in a proof of the
latter theorem. 

Lemma 4 Let A ∈ S(ω, θ) for some ω ∈ R, θ ∈ (0, π2 ] and M ∈ CM.

Then (11) has a resolvent S(t) that can be analytically extended to the
sector Σ(0, θ).

Proof. Let us define A0 = A − ωI and b = ωM . Then (11) takes the

form of (15), so the existence of the resolvent S(t) of (11) follows from
Lemma 3. It remains to show that S(t) is analytically extendable to
Σ(0, θ).
Let us estimate G bn (s) given by (17). For the term M (s)A0 (I −
c −1
M (s)A0 ) due to (18) we have

c(s)A0 (I − M
kM c(s)A0 )−1 k = k(I − M
c(s)A0 )−1 − Ik
π
≤ C2 + 1, s ∈ Σ(0, + θ). (19)
2
The Laplace transform rb(s) of the function r that solves the equation
r = b + b ∗ r with b = ωM has the formula

ωMc(s)
rb(s) = .
c(s)
1 − ωM

Let θ ′ ∈ (0, θ). Then cos θ ′ > 0 and for any η > 0 and s ∈ Σ(η, π2 + θ ′ )
we have |s| ≥ η cos θ ′ . Therefore, in view of Lemma 2, it holds
c(s)| ≤ |ω|µM,θ′ (η cos θ ′ ) for s ∈ Σ(η, π + θ ′ ), η > 0. Since
|ω M 2
µM,θ′ (η cos θ ′ ) → 0 as η → ∞, there exists a sufficiently big η =: ω2
such that

c(s)| < 1 and 1 π

|ω M |b
r(s)| ≤ for s ∈ Σ(ω2 , + θ ′ ). (20)
2(C2 + 1) 2

bn (s)k ≤ C
Using (18) - (20) in (17) we obtain kG s ∈ Σ(ω2 , π2 +θ ′ )
2n |s| ,
3

1
with some constant C3 and since |s| ≤ ( cos1 θ′ + 1) |s−ω 1
2|
, s ∈ Σ(ω2 , π2 +
θ ′ ), we have

bn (s)k ≤ C4 π
kG , s ∈ Σ(ω2 , + θ ′ ), (21)
2n |s− ω2 | 2

with a constant C4 . Let us define an extension of Gn (t) to complex

arguments z by the following integral:
Z
1 bn (s)ds,
Gn (z) = ezs G (22)
2πi γR

8
 1 1 ∪ γ 2 ∪ γ 3 , γ 1 = {z = ω +
where Rez > 0, R = |z| , γR = γR R R R 2
π
ρe−i( 2 +θ) , ∞ > ρ > R}, γR = {z = ω2 + Reiτ , − π2 − θ < τ < π2 + θ},
2
π
3 = {z = ω + ρe i( 2 +θ)
γR 2 , R < ρ < ∞}. By means of a standard
procedure (see e.g. [31], p. 52) and (21) we deduce that this integral
converges absolutely for z ∈ Σ(0, θ ′ ), and satisfies the estimate
C5,θ1 C4 ω2 Rez
kGn (z)k ≤ e , z ∈ Σ(0, θ1 ), (23)
2n
where θ1 is any number in between 0 and θ ′ and C5,θ1 is a constant
depending on θ1 . Therefore, Gn (z) is analytic in Σ(0, θ ′ ). Finally, we
define the extension of S(t) to Σ(0, θ ′ ) by
∞
X
S(z) = Gn (z).
n=0

Due to (23), this series converges uniformly in compact subsets of

Σ(0, θ1 ). Therefore, S(z) is analytic in Σ(0, θ1 ). Since θ1 ∈ (0, θ ′ ) is
arbitrary and θ ′ ∈ (0, θ) arbitrary, S(z) is analytic in Σ(0, θ). 

Lemma 5 Let θ ∈ (0, π2 ] and S(z) : Σ(0, θ) 7→ B(X) be analytic.

Moreover, let f ∈ L1,loc ((0, ∞); X) and t0 > 0. Then
Z t0
h(z) = S(z − τ )f (τ )dτ
0

is analytic in Σ(t0 , θ).

Proof. Let t1 > t0 , z, z1 ∈ Σ(t1 , θ), φ ∈ X ∗ . We have

Z t0
hφ, h(z1 )i − hφ, h(z)i
= H(z, z1 , τ )dτ,
z1 − z 0
 
1
H(z, z1 , τ ) = φ, (S(z1 − τ ) − S(z − τ ))f (τ ) .
z1 − z
For a.e. τ ∈ (0, t0 ) we have lim H(z, z1 , τ ) = hφ, S ′ (z − τ )f (τ )i. On
z1 →z
the
D otherRhand, H(z, z1 , τ ) can Ebe represented in the form H(z, z1 , τ ) =
φ, z11−z γz,z S ′ (y − τ )f (τ )dy , where γz,z1 is the straight path from
1
z to z1 . Thus, in case |z1 − z| ≤ ε, τ ∈ (0, t0 ),

|H(z, z1 , τ )| ≤ kφk max kS ′ (y)kkf (τ )k.

y∈Σ(t1 −t0 ,θ)∩{y : Re y≤Re z+ε}

This shows that H(z, z1 , τ ) is bounded by an integrable in (0, t0 ) func-

tion of τ for z, z1 such that |z1 − z| ≤ ε. By dominated conver-
Rt
gence theorem, hφ,h(z1z)i−hφ,h(z)i
1 −z
→ 0 0 hφ, S ′ (z − τ )f (τ )i dτ as z1 → z.
This shows that hφ, h(z)i is differentiable in Σ(t1 , θ), hence analytic
in Σ(t1 , θ). Since φ ∈ X ∗ and t1 > t0 are arbitrary, h(z) is analytic in
Σ(t0 , θ). 
Finally, we prove a lemma concerning an abstract weak analogue
of the equations (7) and (9).

9
Lemma 6 Let A ∈ S(ω, θ) for some ω ∈ R, θ ∈ (0, π2 ], M ∈ CM,
f ∈ L1 ((0, T ); X) and u0 ∈ X. Then there exists a unique function
u ∈ C([0, T ]; X) that satisfies M ∗ u ∈ C([0, T ]; XA ), u − AM ∗ u ∈
W11 ((0, T ); X), has the initial value u(0) = u0 and solves the equation
d
[u(t) − AM ∗ u(t)] = f (t), a.e. t ∈ (0, T ). (24)
dt
Proof. Let us consider the equation
v(t) − AM ∗ v(t) = 1 ∗ f (t) + v0 , t ∈ [0, T ]. (25)
By Lemma 4, this equation has the resolvent S and by Lemma 1 (ii),
the function
v(t) = S(t)u0 + S ∗ f (t) (26)
belongs to C([0, T ]; X), satisfies M ∗ v ∈ C([0, T ]; XA ) and solves (25).
Since the right-hand side of (25) belongs to W11 ((0, T ); X), we have
v − AM ∗ v ∈ W11 ((0, T ); X). Moreover, dt d
[v(t) − AM ∗ v(t)] = f (t),
a.e. t ∈ (0, T ) and from (26) we deduce v(0) = u0 . Therefore,
u = v is a function that meets the requirements of the lemma. This
proves the existence assertion. To prove the uniqueness, suppose that
u ∈ C([0, T ]; X) satisfies M ∗ u ∈ C([0, T ]; XA ), u − AM ∗ u ∈
d
W11 ((0, T ); X), u(0) = 0 and solves dt [u(t) − AM ∗ u(t)] = 0, a.e.
t ∈ (0, T ). The latter relation implies u(t) − AM ∗ u(t) = c, t ∈ [0, T ],
where c ∈ X. Due to Lemma 1 (ii), u(t) = S(t)c. Using the condition
u(0) = 0 we get c = 0. Lemma 1 (i) implies u = 0. This proves the
uniqueness assertion. 

4 Inverse problem to determine the

operator, kernel, source and state
4.1 Abstract inverse problem
Let u solve (24). We pose the following inverse problem: given u(t),
f (t), t ∈ (t0 , T ), where t0 is some number between 0 and T , determine
M A and f (t), u(t) in the whole interval (0, T ). In the sequel we prove
the uniqueness for this problem.

Theorem 1 Let M1 ∈ CM† , M2 ∈ CM, Aj : D(Aj ) 7→ X, j = 1, 2 -

linear closed densely defined operators in a complex Banach space X,
Aj ∈ S(ωj , θj ) for some ωj ∈ R, θj ∈ (0, π2 ] and A1 - injective. Let fj ,
uj , j = 1, 2, satisfy
fj ∈ L1 ((0, T ); X), uj ∈ C([0, T ]; X), (27)
Mj ∗ uj ∈ C([0, T ]; XAj ), uj − Aj Mj ∗ uj ∈ W11 ((0, T ); X), (28)
d
[uj (t) − Aj Mj ∗ uj (t)] = fj (t), a.e. t ∈ (0, T ), (29)
dt
f1 (t) = f2 (t) =: f (t) a.e. t ∈ (t0 , T ) for some t0 ∈ (0, T ), (30)

10
where f fulfills the condition

f (t) = 0 a.e. t ∈ (t0 , t1 ) for some t1 ∈ (t0 , T ). (31)

Moreover, assume that either


D(A1 ) ∩ D(A2 ) is not empty and dense in XAj , j = 1, 2,



X∞ 



f (t) = ψi (t)xi , t ∈ (t1 , T ), ψi ∈ L1 (t1 , T ),
i=1
(32)


ess supp ψi ⊂ [ti , ti+1 ), t1 < t2 < . . . < T, 





ti = min ess supp ψi , span{xi : i ∈ N} − dense in X
or

X is a Hilbert space, Aj is selfadjoint, 


σ(Aj ) consists of a countable number of eigenvalues λjk , k ∈ N,




the eigenvectors xk , k ∈ N, of A1 and A2 coincide, i.e. 
(33)
Aj xk = λjk xk , k ∈ N, 



the system (xk )k∈N is orthonormal and complete in X, 




hf (t), xk i 6≡ 0 in (t1 , T ), k ∈ N.
Finally, let

u1 (t) = u2 (t), t ∈ (t0 , T ). (34)

Then D(A1 ) = D(A2 ), there exists c > 0 such that cM1 = M2 , A1 =

cA2 , f1 = f2 and u1 = u2 .

In (33), h·, ·i is interpreted as a scalar product in X. We split most

of the proof of this theorem in lemmas.

Lemma 7 Let Mj ∈ CM, j = 1, 2, Aj : D(Aj ) 7→ X, j = 1, 2 -

linear closed densely defined operators in a complex Banach space X
and Aj ∈ S(ωj , θj ) for some ωj ∈ R, θj ∈ (0, π2 ]. Moreover, let fj ,
uj , j = 1, 2, satisfy (27) - (30), (34) and f involved in (30) fulfill the
condition (31). Then
Z t Z t
S1 (t − τ )f (τ )dτ = S2 (t − τ )f (τ )dτ, t ∈ [t1 , T ], (35)
t1 t1

where Sj is the resolvent of the equation (11) with M = Mj and

A = Aj .

Proof. We have uj (t) − Aj Mj ∗ uj (t) = 1 ∗ fj (t) + uj (0), t ∈ [0, T ].

Due to Lemma 1 we obtain

uj (t) = Sj (t)uj (0) + Sj ∗ fj (t), t ∈ [0, T ], j = 1, 2. (36)

Let t ∈ [t0 , T ]. Subtracting the equation (36) with j = 2 from the one
with j = 1 and taking (30) and (34) into account, we deduce

0 = Y (t) + Z(t), t ∈ [t0 , T ], (37)

11
where
Y (t) = S1 (t)u1 (0) − S2 (t)u2 (0)
Z t0
+ [S1 (t − τ )f1 (τ )dτ − S2 (t − τ )f2 (τ )] dτ,
0
Z t
Z(t) = [S1 (t − τ ) − S2 (t − τ )] f (τ )dτ.
t0

Since f (t) = 0 a.e. t ∈ (t0 , t1 ), we have Z(t) = 0, t ∈ [t0 , t1 ]. Using

this in (37) we get Y (t) = 0, t ∈ [t0 , t1 ]. In view of Lemmas 4 and
5, Y (t) is analytic for t > t0 . By analytic continuation we obtain
Y (t) = 0, t ≥ t0 . Therefore, (37) reduces to Z(t) = 0, t ∈ [t0 , T ]. This
by f (t) = 0 a.e. t ∈ (t0 , t1 ), implies (35). 
Lemma 7 provides an independent equation (35) that involves Mj
and Aj but not uj |(0,t0 ) and fj |(0,t0 ) . Under certain assumptions, this
equation implies M1 A1 = M2 A2 . We will show it in the next lemma.
Lemma 8 Let the assumptions of Lemma 7 be satisfied for Mj , Aj ,
j = 1, 2. Let f ∈ L1 ((t1 , T ); X) and (35) be valid where Sj is the
resolvent of the equation (11) with M = Mj and A = Aj . Moreover,
assume that either (32) or (33) holds. Then D(A1 ) = D(A2 ) and
there exists c > 0 such that cM1 = M2 and A1 = cA2 .
Proof. Firstly, we consider the case (32). Then from (35) we have
Z t ∞
X
[S1 (t − τ ) − S2 (t − τ )] ψi (τ )xi dτ = 0, t ∈ [t1 , T ]. (38)
t1 i=1

Let us show by induction that

S1 (t)xm = S2 (t)xm , t ≥ 0, m = 1, 2, . . . . (39)
To this end, we suppose that either m0 = 0 or m0 ∈ N and (39)
holds for m = 1, . . . , m0 . The aim is to show that (39) is valid for
m = m0 + 1, too. Due to such a supposition, from (38) in view of
properties of ψi we have
Z t ∞
X
[S1 (t − τ ) − S2 (t − τ )] ψi (τ )xi dτ = 0, t ∈ [tm0 +1 , T ].
tm0 +1 i=m0 +1
Rt
For t ∈ [tm0 +1 , tm0 +2 ] this yields tm +1 ψm0 +1 (τ )[S1 (t − τ )
0
− S2 (t − τ )]xm0 +1 dτ = 0. Let φ ∈ X ∗ . Then
Z t
ψm0 +1 (τ )hφ, [S1 (t − τ ) − S2 (t − τ )] xm0 +1 idτ = 0,
tm0 +1
t ∈ [tm0 +1 , tm0 +2 ].
By (32), ψm0 +1 (t) does not vanish identically in an arbitrarily small
right neighborhood of tm0 +1 . Applying Titchmarsh convolution theo-
rem, we get
hφ, [S1 (t) − S2 (t)] xm0 +1 i = 0, t ∈ [0, tm0 +2 − tm0 +1 ].

12
Since φ ∈ X ∗ is arbitrary and the embedding X ⊆ X ∗∗ in injective, we
have S1 (t)xm0 +1 = S2 (t)xm0 +1 , t ∈ [0, tm0 +2 − tm0 +1 ], and by analytic
continuation, (39) for m = m0 + 1 follows.
Since span{xi : i ∈ N} is dense in X, (39) implies S1 (t) = S2 (t) =:
S(t), t ≥ 0. Due to (12) we obtain

S(t)x = x + Mj (t) ∗ Aj S(t)x, t ≥ 0, x ∈ D(Aj ), j = 1, 2.

This yields

vx (t) := S ∗ [M1 (t)A1 − M2 (t)A2 ]x = 0, t ≥ 0, x ∈ D(A1 ) ∩ D(A2 ).

From the left equality and Lemma 1 we deduce that vx is the solution
of the following equation:

vx (t) − Aj Mj ∗ vx (t) = 1 ∗ [M1 (t)A1 − M2 (t)A2 ]x, t ≥ 0,

for both j = 1, 2. Therefore, vx (t) = 0 implies 1 ∗ [M1 (t)A1 −

M2 (t)A2 ]x = 0. This yields

M1 (t)A1 x = M2 (t)A2 x, t > 0, x ∈ D(A1 ) ∩ D(A2 ). (40)

M2 (1)
Let us define c = M1 (1) . Then setting t = 1 in (40) we deduce

A1 x = cA2 x, x ∈ D(A1 ) ∩ D(A2 ). (41)

Using (41) in (40) we prove cM1 = M2 . Further, let x be an arbitrary

element of D(A2 ). Since D(A1 ) ∩ D(A2 ) is dense in XA2 , there exist
xn ∈ D(A1 ) ∩ D(A2 ), n ∈ N, such that xn → x and A2 xn → A2 x as
n → ∞. By (41), A1 xn → cA2 x as n → ∞. Since A1 is closed, we
have x ∈ D(A1 ) and A1 x = cA2 x. This shows that D(A1 ) ⊇ D(A2 )
and A1 x = cA2 x, x ∈ D(A2 ). Similarly we show that D(A2 ) ⊇ D(A1 )
and A2 x = 1c A1 x, x ∈ D(A1 ). Consequently, D(A1 ) = D(A2 ) and
A1 = cA2 .
Secondly, we consider the case (33). From (35) we have
∞ Z
X t
fk (τ )h[S1 (t−τ ) − S2 (t−τ )] xk , xl idτ = 0, t ∈ [t1 , T ], l ∈ N,(42)
k=1 t1

where fk (t) = hf (t), xk i. The function Sj (t)xk solves the equation

Sj (t)xk − Mj ∗ Aj Sj (t)xk = xk , t ≥ 0.

Since Aj commutes with Sj and Aj xk = λjk xk , this implies

Sj (t)xk − λjk Mj ∗ Sj (t)xk = xk , t ≥ 0.

Thus,

hSj (t)xk , xl i − λjk Mj ∗ hSj (t)xk , xl i = δkl , t ≥ 0, (43)

13
where δkl is the Kronecker delta. The relation (43) is a scalar Volterra
equation of the second kind. In case k 6= l it is homogeneous. There-
fore, hSj (t)xk , xl i = 0, t ≥ 0, k 6= l, and from (42) we deduce
Z t
fk (τ )h[S1 (t − τ ) − S2 (t − τ )] xk , xk idτ = 0, t ∈ [t1 , T ], k ∈ N.(44)
t1

Let us choose some k ∈ N. By (33), fk (t) does not vanish in (t1 , T ).

Denote
Rt τk = min ess supp fk . Then (44) reduces to
f
τk k (τ )h[S 1 (t − τ ) − S 2 (t − τ )] x ,
k kx idτ = 0, t ∈ [τk , T ]. Moreover,
fk (t) is not identically zero in an arbitrarily small right neighbor-
hood of τk . Applying Titchmarsh convolution theorem, we obtain
h[S1 (t) − S2 (t)] xk , xk i = 0, t ∈ [0, T − τk ]. By analytic continuation,

h[S1 (t) − S2 (t)] xk , xk i = 0, t ≥ 0.

Using this relation and (43) in case l = k we deduce

(λ1k M1 − λ2k M2 ) ∗ hS1 (t)xk , xk i = 0, t ≥ 0.

Since S1 (0)xk = xk and S1 is strongly continuous, hS1 (t)xk , xk i dif-

fers from zero in a right neighborhood of 0. Using the Titchmarsh
convolution theorem again, we obtain

λ1k M1 (t) = λ2k M2 (t), t > 0.

We have chosen an arbitrary k ∈ N. Therefore, this relation is valid

2 (1)
for any k ∈ N. Define c = M
M1 (1) . Arguing as in the previous case we
deduce cM1 = M2 and λ1k = cλ2k , k ∈ N. Let us define the set
( ∞
)
X
2 2
D= x∈X : |λ2k | |hx, xk i| < ∞ .
k=1

For any x ∈ D(AP 1 ) we have hA1 x, xk i = hx, P A1 xk i = λ1k hx, xk i. There-

fore, kA1 xk2 = ∞ |λ
k=1 1k |2 |hx, x i|2 = c2
k
∞ 2 2
k=1 |λ2k | |hx, xk i| < ∞.
Thus, Px ∈ D and we have D(A1 ) ⊆ D. Next let us choose P∞ some x ∈ D.
Since ∞ k=1 |λ 2k |2 |hx, x i|2 < ∞, the element y :=
k k=1 λ2k hx, xk ixk
is
Pn well-defined in X. Since x k ∈ D(A 1 ), k ∈ N, it holds x̂n :=
Pnk=1 hx, xk ixk ∈ D(A P1n). We deduce x̂n → x and A1 x̂n =
λ
k=1 1k hx, x ix
k k = c k=1 2k hx, xk ixk → cy as n → ∞. Since A1
λ
is closed, we have x ∈ D(A1 ). This shows that D ⊆ D(A1 ). Conse-
quently, D(A1 ) = D. Similarly we prove D(A2 ) = PD. Finally, the re-
∞
lation
P∞ 1 A = cA 2 follows from the equality A 1 x = k=1 λ1k hx, xk ixk =
c k=1 λ2k hx, xk ixk = cA2 x. 
In order to complete the proof of Theorem 1, we will need one
more lemma.

Lemma 9 Let M ∈ CM† , A : D(A) → 7 X - an injective operator

in a complex Banach space X and ϕ, u satisfy ϕ ∈ L1 ((0, T ); X),

14
u ∈ C([0, T ]; X), M ∗ u(t) ∈ D(A), a.e. t ∈ (0, T ), u − AM ∗ u ∈
W11 ((0, T ); X) and solve the equation
d
[u(t) − AM ∗ u(t)] = ϕ(t), a.e. t ∈ (0, T ). (45)
dt
Moreover, assume that for some t0 ∈ (0, T ) it holds ϕ(t) = 0 a.e.
t ∈ (t0 , T ) and u(t) = 0, t ∈ (t0 , T ). Then ϕ = 0 and u = 0.
d
If u is a sufficiently good function then from (45) we obtain dt M∗
′ ∗
hφ, Au(t)i = hφ, u (t) − ϕ(t)i, a.e. t ∈ (0, T ), ∀φ ∈ X and since
the right hand side of this equation vanishes for a.e. t ∈ (t0 , T ),
the assertion u = 0 directly follows from Theorem 1 of [8] and the
injectivity of A. This by (45) implies ϕ = 0, too. In our case have to
provide a bit longer proof, that however uses ideas of [8].
Proof. By (45) we have

u(t) − AM ∗ u(t) = 1 ∗ ϕ(t) + y, t ∈ [0, T ],

with some y ∈ X. Using the assumptions ϕ(t) = 0 a.e. t ∈ (t0 , T ) and

u(t) = 0, t ∈ (t0 , T ) we obtain
Z t0
AM ∗ u(t) = − ϕ(τ )dτ − y, t ∈ [t0 , T ]. (46)
0

Let us extend u(t) by zero for t > T and define

F (t) = M ∗ u(t), t ≥ 0.

By u(t) = 0, t > t0 , we have

Z t0
F (t) = M (t − τ )u(τ )dτ, t > t0 . (47)
0

In view of Bernstein’s theorem, the completely monotonic function

M (t) has an analytic extension to Σ(0, π2 ). Therefore, by Lemma 5
we deduce that F (t) is analytic for t ∈ Σ(t0 , π2 ). On the other hand,
Rt
from (46) we have AF (t) = x, t ∈ [t0 , T ], where x = − 0 0 ϕ(τ )dτ − y
is a constant element. Thus, F (t) = A−1 x, t ∈ [t0 , T ]. Using analytic
continuation we obtain

F (t) = A−1 x, t ≥ t0 . (48)

Next we express F as follows:

F (t) = F1 (t) + A−1 x, t ≥ 0.

Due to (48), F1 is compactly supported. Let φ be an arbitrary element

of X ∗ and apply the Laplace transform to the relation hφ, M ∗ ui =
hφ, F1 i + hφ, A−1 xi. We obtain

c(s)hφ, u hφ, A−1 xi

M b(s)i = hφ, Fb1 (s)i + , Res > 0.
s

15
If u is not a zero function, then there exists φ̃ ∈ X ∗ such that hφ̃, u
b(s)i
is not a zero function and we get
hφ̃,A−1 xi
c(s) = hφ̃, Fb1 (s)i + s
M , Res > 0 : hφ̃, u
b(s)i 6= 0. (49)
hφ̃, u
b(s)i

Since u and F1 are compactly supported, hφ̃, u b(s)i and hφ̃, Fb1 (s)i are
entire functions. This implies that the right-hand side of (49) can be
meromorphically extended to the whole complex plane. But due to
M ∈ CM† , this is not the case for the left-hand side. We reached the
contradiction. Consequently, u = 0. This with (45) implies ϕ = 0. 

Proof of Theorem 1. Lemma 8 implies D(A1 ) = D(A2 ) and ∃c > 0:

cM1 = M2 , A1 = cA2 . Denote M = M1 , A = A1 , u = u1 − u2 and
ϕ = f1 − f2 . Then M , A, u and ϕ satisfy the assumptions of Lemma
9. Consequently, u1 − u2 = 0, f1 − f2 = 0. 
We mention that input functions similar to f in (32) have been used
earlier in other inverse problems to recover parameters of equations,
e.g. in problems to determine coefficients [35] and unknown manifolds
[36].

4.2 Applications
In this subsection we will consider some inverse problems that are
posed for equations governing subdiffusion in a

bounded domain Ω ⊂ Rd , d ≥ 1, with a boundary ∂Ω

(50)
that of the class C 2 in case d > 1.

Firstly, let us consider inverse problems for equations with
opera-

tors of the form (8), where a = (alm )|l,m=1,...,d , (al )|l=1,...,d , a ∈ Q,
n 2
Q = a ∈ (C(Ω))d +d+1 : alm = aml , l, m = 1, . . . , d,
Pd o
∃ǫ > 0: alm (x)ξl ξm ≥ ǫ|ξ|2 , x ∈ Ω, ξ ∈ Rd .
l,m=1

Let us define

Dp := {z ∈ Wp2 (Ω) : z|∂Ω = 0}, 1 < p < ∞, (51)

and an operator A[p; a] : D(A[p; a]) = Dp 7→ Lp (Ω) such that

A[p; a]v = A [a]v for v ∈ Dp .

The operator A[p; a] closed and densely defined in Lp (Ω). Moreover,

it belongs to S(ω, θ) for some ω ∈ R, θ ∈ (0, π2 ] [32].

16
Corollary 1 Let M1 ∈ CM† , M2 ∈ CM, aj ∈ Q, j = 1, 2, p ∈
(1, ∞), 0 6∈ σ(A[p, a1 ]). Let fj , uj , j = 1, 2, satisfy fj ∈ L1 ((0, T ); Lp (Ω)),
uj ∈ C([0, T ]; Lp (Ω)), Mj ∗ uj ∈ C([0, T ]; Dp ), uj − A[p; aj ]Mj ∗ uj ∈
W11 ((0, T ); Lp (Ω)) and solve the equations
∂
[uj (t, x) − A[p; a]Mj ∗ uj (t, x)] = fj (t, x), a.e. (t, x) ∈ (0, T ) × Ω.(52)
∂t
Moreover, assume that f1 (t, ·) = f2 (t, ·) =: f (t, ·) a.e. t ∈ (t0 , T ), for
some t0 ∈ (0, T ), f (t, ·) = 0, a.e. t ∈ (t0 , t1 ) for some t1 ∈ (t0 , T ) and
∞

X 
f (t, x) = ψi (t)wi (x), t ∈ (t1 , T ), ψi ∈ L1 (t1 , T ), 



i=1
(53)
ess supp ψi ⊂ [ti , ti+1 ), t1 < t2 < . . . < T, 




ti = min ess supp ψi , span{wi : i ∈ N} − dense in Lp (Ω).
Finally, let u1 (t, ·) = u2 (t, ·), t ∈ (t0 , T ). Then there exists c > 0 such
that cM1 = M2 , a1 = ca2 , f1 = f2 , and u1 = u2 .
Proof. Theorem 1 implies that f1 = f2 , u1 = u2 and there exists
c > 0 such that cM1 = M2 and A[p; a1 ] = cA[p; a2 ]. Let us denote the
components of aj , j = 1, 2, as follows:


aj = (alm,j )|l,m=1,...,d , (al,j )|l=1,...,d , a,j .
Let us choose some x∗ ∈ Ω and v ∗ ∈ Dp such that v ∗ (x) = 1 for x in
some neighborhood of x∗ . Then A[p; aj ]v ∗ (x)|x=x∗ = a,j (x∗ ). Thus,
a,1 (x∗ ) = ca,2 (x∗ ). Secondly, let v l (x) = v ∗ (x)(xl − x∗l ), l = 1, . . . , d.
Then A[p; aj ]v l (x)|x=x∗ = al,j (x∗ ). Thus, al,1 (x∗ ) = cal,2 (x∗ ), l =
1, . . . , d. Finally, working similarly with v lm (x) = v ∗ (x)(xl − x∗l )(xm −
x∗m ) we deduce alm,1 (x∗ ) = calm,2 (x∗ ), l, m = 1, . . . , d. Since x∗ ∈ Ω
is arbitrary we obtain a1 = ca2 . 

Secondly, we consider problems with distributed fractional elliptic

operators. To this end we firstly introduce an elliptic operator Ba by
the formula
Ba v(x) = ∆v(x) + a(x)v(x), x ∈ Ω,
where a ∈ C(Ω). It maps the set D2 defined by (51) to L2 (Ω). Assume
that a ≤ 0 and introduce the eigenvalues and orthonormal in L2 (Ω)
eigenfunctions of −Ba :
− ∆vk (x) − a(x)vk (x) = µk vk (x), x ∈ Ω, vk |∂Ω = 0, k ∈ N,
(54)
0 < µ1 ≤ µ2 ≤ . . . , hvk , vl i = δkl ,
where h·, ·i is the scalar product in L2 (Ω). Next, let us define the
distributed fractional powers of Ba by the formula
Z 1 ∞
X
A̺,a v := − (−Ba )β d̺(β)v = − λk hv, vk ivk ,
0 k=1
Z 1
λk = µβk d̺(β),
0

17
where ̺ is a nonnegative Borel measure such that supp ̺ ∩ (0, 1] 6= ∅.
The domain of A̺,a is
( ∞
)
X
D(A̺,a ) = v ∈ L2 (Ω) : λ2k |hv, vk i|2 < ∞ .
k=1

Obviously, λk and vk are the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of −A̺,a ,

i.e.
−A̺,a vk = λk vk , k ∈ N,
and 0 < λ1 ≤ λ2 ≤ . . ..
Since span{vk : k ∈ N} is dense in L2 (Ω) and forms a subset of
D(A̺,a ), D(A̺,a ) is dense in L2 (Ω). Further,
∞
X
(λI − A̺,a )v = (λ + λk )hv, vk ivk .
k=1

This shows that or any λ ∈ Σ(0, π), the inverse (λI − A̺,a )−1 exists,
belongs to B(L2 (Ω)) and has the formula
∞
X
−1 1
(λI − A̺,a ) v= hv, vk ivk , λ ∈ Σ(0, π).
λ + λk
k=1

Since ρ(A̺,a ) is not empty, A̺,a is closed. Moreover, for any θ ′ ∈ (0, π)
and λ ∈ Σ(0, θ ′ ) we have

|λ + λk |2 = |λ|2 + 2|λ|λk cos arg λ + λ2k ≥ |λ|2 + 2|λ|λk cos θ ′ + λ2k

= |λ|2 sin2 θ ′ + (|λ| cos θ ′ + λk )2 ≥ |λ|2 sin2 θ ′ .

Hence
v
u∞
uX 1 1
k(λI − A̺,a ) vk = t
−1
|hv, vk i|2 ≤ kvk.
|λ + λk |2 |λ| sin θ ′
k=1

Consequently, A̺,a ∈ S(0, θ ′ ) for any θ ′ ∈ (0, π2 ).

Corollary 2 Let M1 ∈ CM† , M2 ∈ CM, aj ∈ C(Ω), aj ≤ 0, j = 1, 2,

and measures ̺j , j = 1, 2, satisfy either
nj 
X 

̺j = κl,j δβl,j , j = 1, 2, where 


l=1 (55)
nj ∈ N, 0 < β1,j < β2,j < . . . < βnj ,j ≤ 1, κl,j > 0,




δβl,j - the point measure concentrated at βl,j
or

̺j - absolutely continuous, j = 1, 2, 

Z 

̺j (U ) = κj (β)dβ, U - any Borel subset of (0, 1), (56)
U 



there exists δ > 0 such that κj is analytic in (0, 1 + δ).

18
Let fj , uj , j = 1, 2, satisfy fj ∈ L1 ((0, T ); L2 (Ω)), uj ∈ C([0, T ]; L2 (Ω)),
Mj ∗ uj ∈ C([0, T ]; XA̺j ,aj ), uj − A̺j ,aj Mj ∗ uj ∈ W11 ((0, T ); L2 (Ω))
and solve the equations
∂  
uj (t, x) − A̺j ,aj Mj ∗ uj (t, x) = fj (t, x), a.e. (t, x) ∈ (0, T ) × Ω.(57)
∂t
Moreover, assume that f1 (t, ·) = f2 (t, ·) =: f (t, ·) a.e. t ∈ (t0 , T ), for
some t0 ∈ (0, T ), f (t, ·) = 0, a.e. t ∈ (t0 , t1 ) for some t1 ∈ (t0 , T ) and
∞

X 
f (t, x) = ψi (t)wi (x), t ∈ (t1 , T ), ψi ∈ L1 (t1 , T ), 



i=1
(58)
ess supp ψi ⊂ [ti , ti+1 ), t1 < t2 < . . . < T, 




ti = min ess supp ψi , span{wi : i ∈ N} − dense in L2 (Ω).

Finally, let u1 (t, ·) = u2 (t, ·), t ∈ (t0 , T ). Then there exists c > 0 such
that cM1 = M2 , ̺1 = c̺2 , a1 = a2 , f1 = f2 and u1 = u2 .

Proof. To apply Theorem 1 we have to verify that D(A̺1 ,a1 )∩D(A̺2 ,a2 )
is not empty and dense in XA̺j ,aj , j = 1, 2. Other assumptions of this
theorem are evident. Let 0 < µ1,j ≤ µ2,j ≤ . . . be the Dirichlet eigen-
values of −∆ − aj I in Ω and v1,j , v2,j , . . . the corresponding orthonor-
R1
mal in L2 (Ω) eigenfunctions. Let us denote λk,j = 0 µβk,j d̺j (β).
Then for any v ∈ D2 , where D2 is given by (51), we have

∞ ∞ Z  β !2
X X 1
µk,j
kvk2XA̺ = λ2k,j |hv, vk,j i|2 = µβ1,j d̺j (β)
j ,aj
0 µ1,j
k=1 k=1
X∞ Z 1 2
µk,j
×|hv, vk,j i| ≤ 2
µβ1,j d̺j (β) |hv, vk,j i|2
0 µ1,j
k=1
Z 1 2 X
∞
= µ−2
1,j µβ1,j d̺j (β) µ2k,j |hv, vk,j i|2 , j = 1, 2.
0 k=1
qP
∞ 2 2
The quantity k=1 µk,j |hv, vk,j i| is a norm of v in D2 . Therefore,
kvkXA̺ ,a < ∞ j = 1, 2. This proves D2 ⊂ D(A̺1 ,a1 ) ∩ D(A̺2 ,a2 ).
j j
In particular, span {vk,j , : k ∈ N} ⊂ D2 , j = 1,P 2. Next let us choose
some j ∈ {1; 2} and v ∈ D(A̺j ,aj ). Then ṽn := nk=1 λk,j hv, vk,j ivk,j ∈
D2 . It holds kv − ṽn kXA̺ ,a → 0 as n → ∞. This proves that D2
j j
is dense in XA̺j ,aj . Thus, D(A̺1 ,a1 ) ∩ D(A̺2 ,a2 ) is dense in XA̺j ,aj ,
j = 1, 2.
From Theorem 1 we obtain that f1 = f2 , u1 = u2 , D(A̺1 ,a1 ) =
D(A̺2 ,a2 ) and there exists c > 0 such that cM1 = M2 , A̺1 ,a1 =
cA̺2 ,a2 . Since (λk,j , vk,j )|k∈N , are the pairs of eigenvalues and eigen-
functions of −A̺j ,aj , from the latter relation we have λk,1 = cλk,2 ,
vk,1 = vk,2 , k ∈ N. Therefore, denoting vk := vk,1 = vk,2 , we have

−∆vk − aj vk = µk,j vk , k ∈ N, j = 1, 2. (59)

19
Setting here k = 1, subtracting the equations for j = 1 and j = 2 and
dividing by v1 (x) (v1 preserves the sign [33], p. 214), we deduce

a1 (x) = a2 (x) − η, x ∈ Ω, η := µ1,1 − µ1,2 . (60)

Returning to (59) and using (60) we obtain

µk,1 = µk,2 + η, k ∈ N. (61)

Let us proceed to the relation λk,1 = cλk,2 . This by (61) implies

Z 1 Z 1
β
(µk + η) d̺1 (β) = c µβk d̺2 (β), k ∈ N, (62)
0 0

where µk = µk,2 . We will analyze this equation separately in cases

(55) and (56).
In case (55) we have
n1
X n2
X β
κl,1 (µk + η)βl,1 = c κl,2 µk l,2 , k ∈ N. (63)
l=1 l=1

Let us rewrite this in the following form:

n1
X n2
X
β β
κl,1 µk l,1 − c κl,2 µk l,2 = Rk , k ∈ N, (64)
l=1 l=1
| {z } | {z }
Wk,1 Wk,2
n1
X h i
β
Rk = κl,1 µk l,1 − (µk + η)βl,1 .
l=1

Since µk → ∞ as k → ∞ and 0 < β1,j < β2,j < . . . < βnj ,j , j = 1, 2,

βn ,1 βn ,2
we have Wk,1 ∼ κn1 ,1 µk 1 → ∞ and Wk,2 ∼ cκn2 ,2 µk 2 → ∞ as
k → ∞. On the other hand, the sequence Rk is bounded, because
Z µk
βl,1
µk − (µk + η) βl,1
= βl,1 τ βl,1 −1 dτ ≤ βl,1 |η|
µk +η

for k such that µk ≥ 1 and µk + η ≥ 1. The difference Wk,1 − Wk,2

can be bounded in the process k → ∞ only if βn1 ,1 = βn2 ,2 and
κn1 ,1 = cκn2 ,2 . Thus, from (64) we obtain
1 −1
nX 2 −1
nX
β β
κl,1 µk l,1 − c κl,2 µk l,2 = Rk , k ∈ N.
l=1 l=1
| {z } | {z }
W̃k,1 W̃k,2

βn −1,1 βn −1,2
Now W̃k,1 ∼ κn1 −1,1 µk 1 → ∞ and W̃k,2 ∼ cκn2 −1,2 µk 2 →
∞ as k → ∞. Using again the fact that Rk is bounded we deduce
βn1 −1,1 = βn2 −1,2 and κn1 −1,1 = cκn2 −1,2 . Continuing such arguments
we prove that

n1 = n2 =: n, κl,1 = cκl,2 , βl,1 = βl,2 , l = 1, . . . n. (65)

20
This by (55) implies ̺1 = c̺2 . From (63) by means of (65) we have
n
X n
X
βl,1 β
κl,1 (µ1 + η) = κl,1 µ1 l,1 . (66)
l=1 l=1
Pn βl,1 is strictly increasing in
The function Ψ(ξ) = l=1 κl,1 (µ1 + ξ)
(−µ1 , ∞). Therefore, (66) implies η = 0. From (60) we obtain a1 = a2 .
Secondly, we consider the case (56). Then from (62) we have
Z 1 Z 1
β
κ1 (β)(µk + η) dβ = c κ2 (β)µβk dβ, k ∈ N. (67)
0 0

This yields
Z 1
[κ1 (β) − cκ2 (β)]µβk dβ = Rk , k ∈ N, (68)
0
Z 1
Rk = κ1 (β)[µβk − (µk + η)β ]dβ.
0

Like in the previous case, we can show that the sequence Rk is bounded.
Let us choose an arbitrary β∗ ∈ (0, 1) and suppose that κ1 (β)−cκ2 (β)
differs from zero and preserves the sign in the interval (β∗ , 1). Then
there exists β∗∗ ∈ (β∗ , 1) and ǫ ∈ (0, β∗∗ − β∗ ) such that |κ1 (β) −
cκ2 (β)| > ǫ, |β − β∗∗ | < ǫ. Thus for k such that µk ≥ 1 we obtain
Z 1 Z 1
β
[κ1 (β) − cκ2 (β)]µk dβ ≥ [κ1 (β) − cκ2 (β)]µβk dβ
0 β∗
Z β∗ Z β∗∗ +ǫ
− [κ1 (β) − cκ2 (β)]µβk dβ ≥ |κ1 (β) − cκ2 (β)|µβk dβ
0 β∗∗ −ǫ
Z β∗
− [κ1 (β) − cκ2 (β)]µβk dβ ≥ 2ǫ2 µβk ∗∗ −ǫ − C∗ µβk ∗ ,
0
Rβ
where C∗ = 0 ∗ |κ1 (β) − cκ2 (β)|dβ. Since β∗∗ − ǫ > β∗ , we have
R1 β
0 [κ1 (β) − cκ2 (β)]µk dβ → ∞ as k → ∞. This is in the contra-
diction with the fact that the right-hand side of (68) is bounded.
Therefore, κ1 (β) − cκ2 (β) cannot preserve the sign in the interval
(β∗ , 1). Since β∗ ∈ (0, 1) is arbitrary, the zeros of κ1 (β) − cκ2 (β) have
the accumulation point β = 1. The functions κj (β) are analytic in
(0, 1 + δ), therefore we obtain κ1 (β) = cκ2 (β), β ∈ (0, 1 + δ). This
implies ̺1 = c̺2 . From (67) we deduce
Z 1 Z 1
κ1 (β)(µ1 + η)β dβ = κ1 (β)µβ1 dβ.
0 0
R1
The function Φ(ξ) = 0 κ1 (β)(µ1 +ξ)β dβ is strictly increasing. There-
fore, η = 0 and from (60) we obtain a1 = a2 . 

If a priori a1 = a2 then the eigenfunctions of A̺1 ,a1 and A̺2 ,a2 co-
incide and we can formulate a uniqueness result also in case f satisfies
(33). Let us formulate such a statement without a proof.

21
Corollary 3 Let M1 ∈ CM† , M2 ∈ CM, a ≤ 0, and either (55)
or (56) hold. Let fj , uj , j = 1, 2, satisfy fj ∈ L1 ((0, T ); L2 (Ω)),
uj ∈ C([0, T ]; L2 (Ω)), Mj ∗ uj ∈ C([0, T ]; XA̺j ,a ), uj − A̺j ,a Mj ∗ uj ∈
W11 ((0, T ); L2 (Ω)) and solve

∂  
uj (t, x) − A̺j ,a Mj ∗ uj (t, x) = fj (t, x), a.e. (t, x) ∈ (0, T ) × Ω.(69)
∂t
Moreover, assume that f1 (t, ·) = f2 (t, ·) =: f (t, ·) a.e. t ∈ (t0 , T ), for
some t0 ∈ (0, T ), f (t, ·) = 0, a.e. t ∈ (t0 , t1 ) for some t1 ∈ (t0 , T ) and
f satisfies either (58) or

hf (t), vk i 6≡ 0 in (t1 , T ), k ∈ N, where vk are the Dirichlet

eigenfunctions of ∆ + aI (i.e. solutions of (54)).

Finally, let u1 (t, ·) = u2 (t, ·), t ∈ (t0 , T ). Then there exists c > 0 such
that cM1 = M2 , ̺1 = c̺2 , f1 = f2 and u1 = u2 .

5 Inverse problems to determine the

kernel
5.1 Inverse problem to determine the kernel,
source and state
Now we consider a problem to identify M , u and f using prescribed
values of u and f in the interval (t0 , T ) in case A is known. Then we
are able prove the uniqueness in case of less restrictions on f .

Theorem 2 Let M1 ∈ CM† , M2 ∈ CM, A : D(A) 7→ X- linear

closed densely defined injective operator in a complex Banach space
X, A ∈ S(ω, θ) for some ω ∈ R, θ ∈ (0, π2 ]. Let fj , uj , j = 1, 2,
satisfy the assumptions (27) - (30) with A1 = A2 = A and f involved
in (30) fulfill the condition (31). Assume that f (t) 6≡ 0 in (t1 , T ).
Finally, let (34) hold. Then M1 = M2 , f1 = f2 and u1 = u2 .

Proof.
Rt Applying Lemma R t 7 in case A1 = A2 = A , we have
S
t1 1 (t − τ )f (τ )dτ = t1 S2 (t − τ )f (τ )dτ , t ∈ [t1 , T ], where Sj is
the resolvent of (11) with M = Mj . Let us extend f (t) by 0 for
t < t0 . Then we obtain w1 (t) = w2 (t), t ∈ [0, T ], where wj (t) =
Sj ∗ f (t). Due to Lemma 1 (ii), the function wj satisfies the equa-
tion wj (t) − AMj ∗ wj (t) = 1 ∗ f (t), t ∈ [0, T ]. Therefore, denoting
w := w1 = w2 , we obtain A(M1 − M2 ) ∗ w(t) = 0, t ∈ [0, T ]. Since A
is injective, we have

(M1 − M2 ) ∗ w(t) = 0, t ∈ [0, T ]. (70)

The function w(t) is not identically zero, because otherwise the left-
hand side of the equation w(t) − AMj ∗ w(t) = 1 ∗ f (t) vanishes and

22
this contradicts the assumption f 6≡ 0. Therefore, there exists φ ∈ X ∗
such that hφ, w(t)i 6≡ 0. Denote tw = min ess supphφ, wi. Then from
(70) we deduce
Z t
hφ, w(τ )i(M1 (t − τ ) − M2 (t − τ ))dτ = 0, t ∈ [tw , T ].
tw

The function hφ, w(t)i does not vanish identically in an arbitrarily

small right neighborhood of tw . Titchmarsh convolution theorem im-
plies M1 (t) = M2 (t), t ∈ (0, T − tw ] and by analytic continuation we
obtain M1 = M2 .
The assertions f1 = f2 and u1 = u2 can be deduced by means of
Lemma 9 like in the proof of Theorem 1. 
Theorem 2 applies to inverse problems for generalized fractional
diffusion equations with operators defined in Subsection 4.2. Let Ω
meet the requirements (50) and either

X = Lp (Ω) for some p ∈ (1, ∞), a ∈ Q, A = A[p; a], 0 6∈ σ(A[p; a])

or

X = L2 (Ω), ̺ - a nonnegative Borel measure,

a ∈ C(Ω), a ≤ 0, A = A̺,a .

In both cases A satisfies the assumptions of Theorem 2.

5.2 Inverse problem to determine the kernel

in case of unknown history
In this section we consider the case when a functional of u(t) is given
after t = t0 . This information may not suffice to reconstruct the
history of f and u before t = t0 but it still enables to recover the
kernel M .
Firstly let us introduce the square of A and formulate a lemma.
Let A : D(A) 7→ X - linear closed densely defined operator in a
complex Banach space X, A ∈ S(ω, θ) for some ω ∈ R, θ ∈ (0, π/2].
From the fact that ρ(A) is not empty, we can deduce that D(A2 ) :=
{x ∈ D(A) : Ax ∈ D(A)} = 6 ∅. Let us denote by XA2 the set D(A2 )
endowed with the norm

kxkXA2 = kxk + kAxk + kA2 xk. (71)

The closedness of A implies that XA2 is a Banach space with respect

to the norm (71).

Lemma 10 Let Mj ∈ CM, j = 1, 2, A : D(A) 7→ X - linear closed

densely defined operator in a complex Banach space X, A ∈ S(0, θ)
for some θ ∈ (0, π2 ], g ∈ W 1,1 ((0, T ); XA2 ) and wj , j = 1, 2, satisfy
wj ∈ C([0, T ]; XA2 ) and solve

wj (t) − Mj ∗ Awj (t) = g(t), t ∈ [0, T ].

23
Moreover, let Φ ∈ X ∗ , hΦ, Ag(0)i 6= 0 and hΦ, w1 (t)i = hΦ, w2 (t)i,
t ∈ (0, T ). Then M1 = M2 .

Proof. In Theorem 5.1 of [34], the equality M1 (t) = M2 (t), t ∈ (0, T ),

was proved in case A, wj , g satisfy the assumptions of Lemma 10 but
Mj , j = 1, 2, belong to a class of kernels that is more general than
CM. Since we assume Mj ∈ CM, the relation M1 (t) = M2 (t), t > 0,
follows by analytic continuation. 

Theorem 3 Let Mj ∈ CM, j = 1, 2, A : D(A) 7→ X - linear closed

densely defined operator in a complex Banach space X, A ∈ S(0, θ)
for some θ ∈ (0, π2 ] and Φ ∈ X ∗ . Let fj , uj , j = 1, 2, satisfy the
assumptions (27) - (30) with A1 = A2 = A and f involved in (30)
fulfill the condition (31). Moreover, assume that

∃m ∈ {0} ∪ N : f |(t1 ,T ) ∈ W1m+1 ((t1 , T ); XA2 ),

(72)
hΦ, f (j) (t+
1 )i = 0, j = 0, . . . , m − 1 (if m ≥ 1), hΦ, Af
(m) +
6 0.
(t1 )i =

Finally, let hΦ, u1 (t)i = hΦ, u2 (t)i, t ∈ (t0 , T ). Then M1 = M2 .

Proof. We have

uj (t) = Sj (t)uj (0) + Sj ∗ fj (t), t ∈ [0, T ], j = 1, 2, (73)

where Sj is the resolvent of the equation (11) with M = Mj . Hence,

hΦ, uj (t)i = hΦ, Sj (t)uj (0)i + hΦ, Sj ∗ fj (t)i, t ∈ [0, T ], j = 1, 2.

Let t ∈ [t0 , T ]. Subtracting this relation with j = 2 from the one with
j = 1 and using the assumptions hΦ, u1 (t)i = hΦ, u2 (t)i, t ∈ (t0 , T ),
and f1 (t) = f2 (t) = f (t), t ∈ (t0 , T ), we deduce

Ỹ (t) + Z̃(t) = 0, t ∈ [t0 , T ],

where
D
Ỹ (t) = Φ, S1 (t)u1 (0) − S2 (t)u2 (0)
Z t0 Z t0 E
+ S1 (t − τ )f1 (τ )dτ − S2 (t − τ )f2 (τ )dτ ,
0 0
D Z t E
Z̃(t) = Φ, (S1 (t − τ ) − S2 (t − τ ))f (τ )dτ .
t0

The function Ỹ (t) is analytic in (t0 , T ) and Z̃(t) vanishes in (t0 , t1 )

because of the assumption f (t) = 0, t ∈ (t0 , t1 ). Arguing as in the
proof of Lemma 7, we obtain Z̃(t) = 0, t ∈ [t0 , T ]. Thus in view of
f |(t0 ,t1 ) = 0 we have
D Z t E D Z t E
Φ, S1 (τ )f (t1 + t − τ )dτ = Φ, S2 (τ )f (t1 + t − τ )dτ ,
0 0
t ∈ [0, T − t1 ].

24
Differentiating this relation m times and observing the assumptions
hΦ, f (j) (t+
1 )i = 0, j = 0, . . . , m − 1, we obtain hΦ, w1 (t)i = hΦ, w2 (t)i,
t ∈ [0, T − t1 ], where
Z t
wj (t) = Sj (t)g(0) + Sj (t − τ )g′ (τ )dτ
0

and g(t) = f (m) (t1 + t). By f |(t1 ,T ) ∈ W1m+1 ((t1 , T ); XA2 ) we have
g ∈ W11 ((0, T − t1 ), XA2 ). This implies that wj belongs to C([0, T −
t1 ], XA2 ). Due to Lemma 1 (iii), wj solves wj (t) − Mj ∗ Awj (t) = g(t),
t ∈ [0, T − t1 ]. Moreover, by hΦ, Af (m) (t+
1 )i 6= 0 we have hΦ, Ag(0)i =
6
0. Assumptions of Lemma 10 are satisfied. We obtain M1 = M2 . 

If X is a space of functions defined in Ω, then the functional Φ

may
R represent for instance an integral observation of the form hΦ, vi =
Ω′ v(x)dx, Ω′ ⊆ Ω (then we can work in Lp spaces as in the previous
examples) or a point observation hΦ, vi = v(x0 ), x0 ∈ Ω (then we have
to work in a space of continuous functions). Let us consider the case
of point observation and involve also Neumann boundary conditions.
The latter option enables to observe on the boundary, too.
Assume that Ω meets the requirements (50) and either
X = C0 (Ω) = {v ∈ C(Ω) : v|∂Ω = 0},
n \ o
D(A) = v ∈ C0 (Ω) : v ∈ Wp2 (Ω), ∆v ∈ C0 (Ω) ,
p>1
Av = ∆v, v ∈ D(A), hΦ, vi = v(x0 ), x0 ∈ Ω
or
X = C(Ω),
n \ ∂ o
D(A) = v ∈ C(Ω) : v ∈ Wp2 (Ω), v|∂Ω = 0, ∆v ∈ C(Ω) ,
∂ν
p>1
ν - the outer normal of ∂Ω,
Av = ∆v, v ∈ D(A), hΦ, vi = v(x0 ), x0 ∈ Ω.
In both these cases A and Φ satisfy the assumptions of Theorem 3
(for A, see e.g. [31], p. 139).

6 Concluding remarks
The assumption f |(t0 ,t1 ) = 0 is essential in the proof of Lemma 7. If
f does not vanish identically in some right neighborhood of t0 , then
we cannot exclude Y (t) from (37) and derive an independent equation
for Mj and Aj .
Let us give an interpretation for (35). To Rthis end define the
t
functions ũj : (0, T − t1 ) 7→ X by ũj (t − t1 ) = t1 Sj (t − τ )f (τ )dτ ,
t ∈ (t1 , T ). They satisfy the following equations:
d
[ũj (t) − Aj Mj ∗ ũj (t)] = f (t + t1 ), a.e. t ∈ (0, T − t1 ).
dt

25
Then (35) implies that the solutions of these equations concide. In
other words, in Lemma 8 we proved the uniqueness for an inverse
d
problem to recover M A in the equation dt [ũ(t) − AM ∗ ũ(t)] = f (t1 +
t), t ∈ (0, T − t1 ), by means of fully given ũ.
Theorem 1 was proved in two stages: firstly we proved M1 A1 =
M2 A2 and thereupon f1 = f2 and u1 = u2 . Similar decomposition
of an inverse problem into two stages was used in Theorem 2, too.
Firstly, the uniqueness for M and then the uniqueness for source and
state was established there.
The function f satisfying conditions of Theorems 1, 2 is not ana-
lytic in (t0 , T ). A singularity occurs in [t1 , T ). This kind of irregularity
characterizes our method.
Theorem 3 also uses a decomposition of the inverse problem into
two stages, but the uniqueness was shown only in the first stage, i.e.
for M . The history of f and u remains unknown. We believe that
a similar incorporation of unknown history may be possible also in
other inverse problems to recover parameters of fractional diffusion
equations, e.g. problems to determine coefficients by means of bound-
ary data.

Acknowledgement.
The study was supported by Estonian Research Council Grant PRG832.

References
[1] B. Hofmann, U. Tautenhahn, On ill-posedness measures and
space change in Sobolev scales. Zeitschrift für Analysis un ihre
Anwendungen 16 (1997), 979 – 1000.
[2] J. Elschner, G. Hu, Corners and edges always scatter. Inverse
Problems 31 (2015), 015003.
[3] E. Blåsten, L. Päivärinta, J. Sylvester, Corners Always Scatter.
Communications in Mathematical Physics 331 (2014), 725 – 753.
[4] B. Jin, W. Rundell, A tutorial on inverse problems for anomalous
diffusion processes. Inverse Problems 31 (2015), 035003.
[5] J. Janno, N. Kinash, Reconstruction of an order of derivative
and a source term in a fractional diffusion equation from final
measurements. Inverse Problems 34 (2018), 025007.
[6] K. Liao, T. Wei, Identifying a fractional order and a space source
term in a time-fractional diffusion-wave equation simultaneously.
Inverse Problems 35 (2019), 115002.
[7] B. Jin, Y. Kian, Z. Zhou, Inverse problems for subdiffusion from
observation at an unknown terminal time. SIAM Journal on Ap-
plied Mathematics 83 (2023), 1496 – 1517.
[8] N. Kinash, J. Janno, An inverse problem for a generalized frac-
tional derivative with an application in reconstruction of time-

26
 and space-dependent sources in fractional diffusion and wave
equations. Mathematics 7 (2019): 1138.
[9] M. I. Ismailov, M. Çiçek, Inverse source problem for a time-
fractional diffusion equation with nonlocal boundary conditions.
Applied Mathematical Modelling 40 (2016), 4891 – 4899.
[10] H. Lopushanska, A. Lopushansky, O. Myaus, Inverse problems of
periodic spatial distributions for a time fractional diffusion equa-
tion. Electronic Journal of Differential Equations 2016 (2016),
14.
[11] K. Sakamoto, M. Yamamoto, Initial value/boundary value prob-
lems for fractional diffusion-wave equations and applications to
some inverse problems. Journal of Mathematical Analysis and
Applications 382 (2011), 426 – 447.
[12] M. Slodička, K. Šišková, An inverse source problem in a semi-
linear time-fractional diffusion equation. Computers and Mathe-
matics with Applications 72 (2016), 1655 – 1669.
[13] Y. Kian, M. Yamamoto, Reconstruction and stable recovery of
source terms and coefficients appearing in diffusion equations.
Inverse Problems 35 (2019), 115006.
[14] Y. Kian, Y. Liu, M. Yamamoto, Uniqueness of inverse source
problems for general evolution equations. Communications in
Contemporary Mathematics 25 (2023), 2250009.
[15] J. Janno, Y. Kian, Inverse source problem with a posteriori
boundary measurement for fractional diffusion equations. Math-
ematical Methods in the Applied Sciences 46 (2023), 15868 –
15882.
[16] M. Yamamoto, Uniqueness for inverse source problems for frac-
tional diffusion-wave equations by data during not acting time.
Inverse Problems 39 (2023), 024004.
[17] A. V. Chechkin, V. Yu. Gonchar, R. Gorenflo, N. Korabel, I. M.
Sokolov, Generalized fractional diffusion equations for accelerat-
ing subdiffusion and truncated Levy flights. Physical Review E
78 (2008), 021111.
[18] D. Frömberg, Reaction Kinetics under Anomalous Diffu-
sion. PhD thesis, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, 1981.
https://edoc.hu-berlin.de/bitstream/handle/18452/17026/froemberg.pdf
[19] H. G. Sun, Y. Zhang, Y. D. Baleanu, W. Chen, W. Y. Q. Chen. A
new collection of real world applications of fractional calculus in
science and engineering. Communications in Nonlinear Science
and Numerical Simulation 64 (2018), 213 – 231.
[20] H. Scher, M. Lax. Stochastic transport in a disordered solid. I.
Theory. Physical Review B 7 (1973), 4491 – 4502.
[21] Y. Povstenko, Thermoelasticity that uses fractional heat conduc-
tion equation. Journal of Mathematical Sciences 162 (2009), 296
– 305.

27
[22] F. Mainardi, A. Mura, G. Pagnini, R. Gorenflo, Time-fractional
diffusion of distributed order. Journal of Vibration and Control
14 (2008), 1267 – 1290.
[23] I. M. Sokolov, A. V. Chechkin, J. Klafter, Distributed-order frac-
tional kinetics. Acta Physica Polonica B 35 (2004), 1323 – 1341.
[24] J. Gajda, M. Magdziarz, Fractional Fokker-Planck equation with
tempered α- stable waiting times. Langevin picture and computer
simulation. Physical Review E 82 (2010), 011117.
[25] X. Wu, W. Deng, E. Barkai, Tempered fractional Feynman-Kac
equation: Theory and examples. Physical Review E 93 (2016),
032151.
[26] G. Gripenberg, On Volterra equations of the first kind. Integral
Equations and Operator Theory 3 (1980), 473 – 488.
[27] N. Kinash, J. Janno, Inverse problems for a generalized subdif-
fusion equation with final overdetermination. Mathematical Mod-
elling and Analysis 24 (2019), 236 – 262.
[28] G. A. Mendes, E. K. Lenzi, R. S. Mendes, L. R. da Silva,
Anisotropic fractional diffusion equation. Physica A 346 (2005),
271 – 283.
[29] M. Caputo, Diffusion with space memory modelled with dis-
tributed order space fractional differential equations. Annals of
Geophysics 46 (2003), 223 – 234.
[30] J. Janno, Determination of time-dependent sources and param-
eters of nonlocal diffusion and wave equations from final data.
Fractional Calculus and Applied Analysis 6 (2020), 1678 – 1701.
[31] J. Prüss, Evolutionary Integral Equations and Applications.
Birkhäuser, Basel, 1993.
[32] A. Lunardi, Analytic Semigroups and Optimal Regularity in
Parabolic Problems. Birkhäuser, Basel, 1995.
[33] D. Gilbarg, N. S. Trudinger, Elliptic Partial Differential Equa-
tions of Second Order. Springer, NY, 1998.
[34] J. Janno, K. Kasemets, Identification of a kernel in an evolution-
ary integral equation occurring in subdiffusion. Journal of Inverse
and Ill-posed Problems 25 (2017), 777 – 798.
[35] Y. Kian, Simultaneous determination of different class of param-
eters for a diffusion equation from a single measurement. Inverse
Problems 38 (2022), 075008.
[36] T. Helin, M. Lassas, L.Ylinen, Z. Zhang, Inverse problems for
heat equation and space–time fractional diffusion equation with
one measurement. Journal of Differential Equations 269 (2020),
7498 – 7528.

28