Optimal control of Cahn-Hilliard image inpainting models

Matteo Fornoni (U Milan)

Dec 11. 2025, 10:00 — 10:30

We consider an inpainting model proposed by A. Bertozzi et al., which is based on a Cahn-Hilliard-type equation, describing the evolution of an order parameter that approximates an image occupying a bounded two-dimensional domain. The given image is assumed to be damaged in a fixed subdomain, and the equation is characterised by a linear reaction term multiplied by the so-called fidelity coefficient, which is a strictly positive bounded function defined in the undamaged region. The idea is that, given an initial image, the order parameter evolves towards the given image, and this process properly diffuses through the boundary of the damaged region, restoring the damaged image, provided that the fidelity coefficient is large enough. Here, we formulate an optimal control problem based on this fact, namely, our cost functional accounts for the magnitude of the fidelity coefficient. In this contribution, we first analyse the control-to-state operator and prove the existence of at least one optimal control, establishing the validity of first-order optimality conditions. Then, under suitable assumptions, we demonstrate second-order optimality conditions. This is a joint work with Elena Beretta, Cecilia Cavaterra and Maurizio Grasselli.

Further Information
Venue:
ESI Boltzmann Lecture Hall
Recordings:
Recording
Associated Event:
Free Boundary Problems (Thematic Programme)
Organizer(s):
Serena Dipierro (UWA, Perth)
Julian Fischer (ISTA, Klosterneuburg)
Matteo Novaga (U Pisa)
Elisabetta Rocca (U of Pavia)
Xavier Ros-Oton (U of Barcelona)
Ulisse Stefanelli (U of Vienna)
Enrico Valdinoci (UWA, Perth)