49J20 Optimal control problems involving partial differential equations
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Laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy (LITT) is a minimally invasive procedure to destroy liver
tumors through thermal ablation. Mathematical models are the basis for computer simulations
of LITT, which support the practitioner in planning and monitoring the therapy.
In this thesis, we propose three potential extensions of an established mathematical model of
LITT, which is based on two nonlinearly coupled partial differential equations (PDEs) modeling
the distribution of the temperature and the laser radiation in the liver.
First, we introduce the Cattaneo–LITT model for delayed heat transfer in this context, prove its
well-posedness and study the effect of an inherent delay parameter numerically.
Second, we model the influence of large blood vessels in the heat-transfer model by means
of a spatially varying blood-perfusion rate. This parameter is unknown at the beginning of
each therapy because it depends on the individual patient and the placement of the LITT
applicator relative to the liver. We propose a PDE-constrained optimal-control problem for the
identification of the blood-perfusion rate, prove the existence of an optimal control and prove
necessary first-order optimality conditions. Furthermore, we introduce a numerical example
based on which we demonstrate the algorithmic solution of this problem.
Third, we propose a reformulation of the well-known PN model hierarchy with Marshak
boundary conditions as a coupled system of second-order PDEs to approximate the radiative-transfer
equation. The new model hierarchy is derived in a general context and is applicable
to a wide range of applications other than LITT. It can be generated in an automated way by
means of algebraic transformations and allows the solution with standard finite-element tools.
We validate our formulation in a general context by means of various numerical experiments.
Finally, we investigate the coupling of this new model hierarchy with the LITT model numerically.
This thesis covers two important fields in financial mathematics, namely the continuous time portfolio optimisation and credit risk modelling. We analyse optimisation problems of portfolios of Call and Put options on the stock and/or the zero coupon bond issued by a firm with default risk. We use the martingale approach for dynamic optimisation problems. Our findings show that the riskier the option gets, the less proportion of his wealth the investor allocates to the risky asset. Further, we analyse the Credit Default Swap (CDS) market quotes on the Eurobonds issued by Turkish sovereign for building the term structure of the sovereign credit risk. Two methods are introduced and compared for bootstrapping the risk-neutral probabilities of default (PD) in an intensity based (or reduced form) credit risk modelling approach. We compare the market-implied PDs with the actual PDs reported by credit rating agencies based on historical experience. Our results highlight the market price of the sovereign credit risk depending on the assigned rating category in the sampling period. Finally, we find an optimal leverage strategy for delivering the payments promised by a Constant Proportion Debt Obligation (CPDO). The problem is solved via the introduction and explicit solution of a stochastic control problem by transforming the related Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman Equation into its dual. Contrary to the industry practise, the optimal leverage function we derive is a non-linear function of the CPDO asset value. The simulations show promising behaviour of the optimal leverage function compared with the one popular among practitioners.
We consider optimal design problems for semiconductor devices which are simulated using the energy transport model. We develop a descent algorithm based on the adjoint calculus and present numerical results for a ballistic diode. Further, we compare the optimal doping profile with results computed on basis of the drift diffusion model. Finally, we exploit the model hierarchy and test the space mapping approach, especially the aggressive space mapping algorithm, for the design problem. This yields a significant reduction of numerical costs and programming effort.
In traditional portfolio optimization under the threat of a crash the investment horizon or time to maturity is neglected. Developing the so-called crash hedging strategies (which are portfolio strategies which make an investor indifferent to the occurrence of an uncertain (down) jumps of the price of the risky asset) the time to maturity turns out to be essential. The crash hedging strategies are derived as solutions of non-linear differential equations which itself are consequences of an equilibrium strategy. Hereby the situation of changing market coefficients after a possible crash is considered for the case of logarithmic utility as well as for the case of general utility functions. A benefit-cost analysis of the crash hedging strategy is done as well as a comparison of the crash hedging strategy with the optimal portfolio strategies given in traditional crash models. Moreover, it will be shown that the crash hedging strategies optimize the worst-case bound for the expected utility from final wealth subject to some restrictions. Another application is to model crash hedging strategies in situations where both the number and the height of the crash are uncertain but bounded. Taking the additional information of the probability of a possible crash happening into account leads to the development of the q-quantile crash hedging strategy.