Many mathematical models of physical, biological and social systems involve partial differential equations (PDEs). The desire to understand and influence these systems naturally leads to considering problems of control and optimization. This book presents important topics in the areas of control of PDEs and of PDE-constrained optimization, covering the full spectrum from analysis to numerical realization and applications. Leading scientists address current topics such as non-smooth optimization, Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellmann equations, issues in optimization and control of stochastic partial differential equations, reduced-order models and domain decomposition, discretization error estimates for optimal control problems, and control of quantum-dynamical systems. These contributions originate from the “International Workshop on Control and Optimization of PDEs” in Mariatrost in October 2011.

This book is an excellent resource for students and researchers in control or optimization of differential equations. Readers interested in theory or in numerical algorithms will find this book equally useful.