Benefits of formulating inverse problems,

Question

Why would an extensively researched direct problem be reformulated into an inverse problem?

Is it simply to create further research opportunities?

Answer 1

There are, of course, as many reasons as there are researchers.

• The inverse problem is, or might become, physically relevant (or relevant for other applications).
• The problem is more difficult or more general than previously tackled ones, so it will be interesting to know which techniques work and which do not.
• A researcher believes they can prove a result that is worth publication.
• Established results in a new setting is fertile ground for doctoral study, and the PhD student is likely to not have much competition there.