An efficient non‐linear least‐squares 1D inversion scheme for resistivity and IP sounding data

Non‐linear least‐squares inversion operates iteratively by updating the model parameters in each step by a correction vector which is the solution of a set of normal equations. Inversion of geoelectrical data is an ill‐posed problem. This and the ensuing suboptimality restrict the initial model to being in the near vicinity of the true model. The problem may be reduced by introducing damping into the system of equations. It is shown that an appropriate choice of the damping parameter obtained adaptively and the use of a conjugate‐gradient algorithm to solve the normal equations make the 1D inversion scheme efficient and robust. The scheme uses an optimal damping parameter that is dependent on the noise in the data, in each iterative step. The changes in the damping and relative residual error with iteration number are illustrated. A comparison of its efficacy over the conventional Marquardt and simulated annealing methods, tested on Inman's model, is made. Inversion of induced polarization (IP) sounding is obtained by inverting twice (true and modified) DC apparent resistivity data. The inversion of IP data presented here is generic and can be applied to any of the IP observables, such as chargeability, frequency effect, phase, etc., as long as these observables are explicitly related to the DC apparent resistivity. The scheme is used successfully in inverting noise‐free and noisy synthetic data and field data taken from the published literature.