On the numerical solution of the distributed parameter identification problem

Abstract

A new error estimate is derived for the numerical identification of a distributed parameter a(x) in a two point boundary value problem, for the case that the finite element method and the fit-to-data output-least-squares technique are used for the identifications. With a special weighted norm, we get a pointwise estimate. Prom the error estimate and also from the numerical tests, we find that if we decrease the mesh size, the maximum error between the identified parameter and the true parameter will increase. In order to improve the accuracy, higher order finite element spaces should be used in the approximations.