English

The inverse first-passage problem and optimal stopping

Probability 2015-09-01 v1

Abstract

Given a survival distribution on the positive half-axis and a Brownian motion, a solution of the inverse first-passage problem consists of a boundary so that the first passage time over the boundary has the given distribution. We show that the solution of the inverse first- passage problem coincides with the solution of a related optimal stopping problem. Consequently, methods from optimal stopping theory may be applied in the study of the inverse first-passage problem. We illustrate this with a study of the associated integral equation for the boundary.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1508.07827,
  title  = {The inverse first-passage problem and optimal stopping},
  author = {Erik Ekström and Svante Janson},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1508.07827},
  year   = {2015}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-22T10:45:15.588Z