Interpolation of the coupling-ray-theory Green function within ray cells

The coupling–ray–theory tensor Green function for electromagnetic waves or elastic S waves is frequency dependent, and is usually calculated for many frequencies. This frequency dependence represents no problem in calculating the Green function, but may pose a significant challenge in storing the Green function at the nodes of dense grids, typical for applications such as the Born approximation or non–linear source determination. Storing the Green function at the nodes of dense grids for too many frequencies may be impractical or even unrealistic. We have already proposed the approximation of the coupling–ray–theory tensor Green function, in the vicinity of a given prevailing frequency, by two coupling–ray–theory dyadic Green functions described by their coupling–ray–theory travel times and their coupling–ray–theory amplitudes. The above mentioned prevailing–frequency approximation of the coupling ray theory enables us to interpolate the coupling–ray–theory dyadic Green functions within ray cells, and to calculate them at the nodes of dense grids. For the interpolation within ray cells, we need to separate the pairs of prevailing–frequency coupling–ray–theory dyadic Green functions so that both the first Green function and the second Green function are continuous along rays and within ray cells. We describe the current progress in this field and outline the basic algorithms. The proposed method is equally applicable to both electromagnetic waves and elastic S waves. We demonstrate the preliminary numerical results using the coupling–ray–theory travel times of elastic S waves.     

Errors Due to the Common Ray Approximations of the Coupling Ray Theory

The common ray approximation considerably simplifies the numerical algorithm of the coupling ray theory for S waves, but may introduce errors in travel times due to the perturbation from the common reference ray. These travel-time errors can deteriorate the coupling-ray-theory solution at high frequencies. It is thus of principal importance for numerical applications to estimate the errors due to the common ray approximation.We derive the equations for estimating the travel-time errors due to the isotropic and anisotropic common ray approximations of the coupling ray theory. These equations represent the main result of the paper. The derivation is based on the general equations for the second-order perturbations of travel time. The accuracy of the anisotropic common ray approximation can be studied along the isotropic common rays, without tracing the anisotropic common rays.The derived equations are numerically tested in three 1-D models of differing degree of anisotropy. The first-order and second-order perturbation expansions of travel time from the isotropic common rays to anisotropic-ray-theory rays are compared with the anisotropic-ray-theory travel times. The errors due to the isotropic common ray approximation and due to the anisotropic common ray approximation are estimated. In the numerical example, the errors of the anisotropic common ray approximation are considerably smaller than the errors of the isotropic common ray approximation.The effect of the isotropic common ray approximation on the coupling-ray-theory synthetic seismograms is demonstrated graphically. For comparison, the effects of the quasi-isotropic projection of the Green tensor, of the quasi-isotropic approximation of the Christoffel matrix, and of the quasi-isotropic perturbation of travel times on the coupling-ray-theory synthetic seismograms are also shown. The projection of the travel-time errors on the relative errors of the time-harmonic Green tensor is briefly presented.     

Prevailing-frequency approximation of the coupling ray theory along the SH and SV reference rays in a heterogeneous generally anisotropic medium which is approximately uniaxial

The behaviour of the actual polarization of an electromagnetic wave or elastic S–wave is described by the coupling ray theory, which represents the generalization of both the zero–order isotropic and anisotropic ray theories and provides continuous transition between them. The coupling ray theory is usually applied to anisotropic common reference rays, but it is more accurate if it is applied to reference rays which are closer to the actual wave paths. In a generally anisotropic or bianisotropic medium, the actual wave paths may be approximated by the anisotropic–ray–theory rays if these rays behave reasonably. In an approximately uniaxial (approximately transversely isotropic) anisotropic medium, we can define and trace the SH (ordinary) and SV (extraordinary) reference rays, and use them as reference rays for the prevailing–frequency approximation of the coupling ray theory. In both cases, i.e. for the anisotropic–ray–theory rays or the SH and SV reference rays, we have two sets of reference rays. We thus obtain two arrivals along each reference ray of the first set and have to select the correct one. Analogously, we obtain two arrivals along each reference ray of the second set and have to select the correct one. In this paper, we suggest the way of selecting the correct arrivals. We then demonstrate the accuracy of the resulting prevailing–frequency approximation of the coupling ray theory using elastic S waves along the SH and SV reference rays in four different approximately uniaxial (approximately transversely isotropic) velocity models.     

Comparison of Quasi-Isotropic Approximations of the Coupling Ray Theory with the Exact Solution in the 1-D Anisotropic “Oblique Twisted Crystal” Model

The coupling ray theory bridges the gap between the isotropic and anisotropic ray theories, and is considerably more accurate than the anisotropic ray theory. The coupling ray theory is often approximated by various quasi-isotropic approximations.Commonly used quasi-isotropic approximations of the coupling ray theory are discussed. The exact analytical solution for the plane S wave, propagating along the axis of spirality in the 1-D anisotropic oblique twisted crystal model, is then numerically compared with the coupling ray theory and its three quasi-isotropic approximations. The three quasi-isotropic approximations of the coupling ray theory are (a) the quasi-isotropic projection of the Green tensor, (b) the quasi-isotropic approximation of the Christoffel matrix, (c) the quasi-isotropic perturbation of travel times. The comparison is carried out numerically in the frequency domain, comparing the exact analytical solution with the results of the 3-D ray tracing and coupling ray theory software. In the oblique twisted crystal model, the three studied quasi-isotropic approximations considerably increase the error of the coupling ray theory. Since these three quasi-isotropic approximations do not noticeably simplify the numerical implementation of the coupling ray theory, they should deffinitely be avoided. The common ray approximations of the coupling ray theory do not affect the plane wave, propagating along the axis of spirality in the 1-D oblique twisted crystal model, and should be studied in more complex models.     

Frequency-domain ray series for viscoelastic waves with a non-symmetric stiffness matrix

In an elastic medium, it was proved that the stiffness tensor is symmetric with respect to the exchange of the first pair of indices and the second pair of indices, but the proof does not apply to a viscoelastic medium. In order to indicate which phenomena could be observed in the wave field if the stiffness matrix were non–symmetric, we propose the frequency–domain ray series for viscoelastic waves with a non–symmetric stiffness tensor in this paper.     

Theoretical ray seismograms of short periodPKP waves

Summary This paper shows some examples of theoretical seismograms of short period PKP waves calculated by the zero approximation of the ray theory. The influence of the epicentral distance, source time function and the Earth's crust on the form of the seismograms is shown.     

TheoreticalPKP seismograms near the caustic calculated by sum of reflected waves

Summary This paper gives some examples of theoretical seismograms of PKP waves near the caustic. Seismograms of refracted waves for the original medium are compared with seismograms composed as a sum of the reflected waves, generated at boundaries of a substitute medium. All seismograms are calculated by zero approximation of the ray theory. The influence of some parameters of the source function and of the substitute medium on the results is shown.     

Errors due to the anisotropic-common-ray approximation of the coupling ray theory

The common-ray approximation eliminates problems with ray tracing through S-wave singularities and also considerably simplifies the numerical algorithm of the coupling ray theory for S waves, but may introduce errors in travel times due to the perturbation from the common reference ray. These travel-time errors can deteriorate the coupling-ray-theory solution at high frequencies. It is thus of principal importance for numerical applications to estimate the errors due to the common-ray approximation applied. The anisotropic-common-ray approximation of the coupling ray theory is more accurate than the isotropic-common-ray approximation. We derive the equations for estimating the travel-time errors due to the anisotropic-common-ray (and also isotropic-common-ray) approximation of the coupling ray theory. The errors of the common-ray approximations are calculated along the anisotropic common rays in smooth velocity models without interfaces. The derivation is based on the general equations for the second-order perturbations of travel time.     

Sensitivity of seismic waves to structure

We study how the perturbations of a generally heterogeneous isotropic or anisotropic structure manifest themselves in the wavefield, and which perturbations can be detected within a limited aperture and a limited frequency band. A short-duration broad-band incident wavefield with a smooth frequency spectrum is considered. In-finitesimally small perturbations of elastic moduli and density are decomposed into Gabor functions. The wavefield scattered by the perturbations is then composed of waves scattered by the individual Gabor functions. The scattered waves are estimated using the first-order Born approximation with the paraxial ray approximation. For each incident wave, each Gabor function generates at most 5 scattered waves, propagating in specific directions and having specific polarisations. A Gabor function corresponding to a low wavenumber may generate a single broad-band unconverted wave scattered in forward or narrow-angle directions. A Gabor function corresponding to a high wavenumber usually generates 0 to 5 narrow-band Gaussian packets scattered in wide angles, but may also occasionally generate a narrow-band P to S or S to P converted Gaussian packet scattered in a forward direction, or a broad-band S to P (and even S to S in a strongly anisotropic background) converted wave scattered in wide angles. In this paper, we concentrate on the Gaussian packets caused by narrow-band scattering. For a particular source, each Gaussian packet scattered by a Gabor function at a given spatial location is sensitive to just a single linear combination of 22 values of the elastic moduli and density corresponding to the Gabor function. This information about the Gabor function is lost if the scattered wave does not fall into the aperture covered by the receivers and into the legible frequency band.     

Common-ray tracing and dynamic ray tracing for S waves in a smooth elastic anisotropic medium

Anisotropic common S-wave rays are traced using the averaged Hamiltonian of both S-wave polarizations. They represent very practical reference rays for calculating S waves by means of the coupling ray theory. They eliminate problems with anisotropic-ray-theory ray tracing through some S-wave slowness-surface singularities and also considerably simplify the numerical algorithm of the coupling ray theory for S waves. The equations required for anisotropic-common-ray tracing for S waves in a smooth elastic anisotropic medium, and for corresponding dynamic ray tracing in Cartesian or ray-centred coordinates, are presented. The equations, for the most part generally known, are summarized in a form which represents a complete algorithm suitable for coding and numerical applications.     

The decoupling of P and S waves in inhomogeneous media

A scalar potential representation for a P wave in an inhomogeneous medium is developed from ray theory and is shown to be generally applicable to both P and S waves. It is shown that the P to S coupling takes place at one order of frequency down from the principal components and that the principal components depend on the density only at the source and observer positions.     

Comparison of the FORT approximation of the coupling ray theory with the Fourier pseudospectral method

The standard ray theory (RT) for inhomogeneous anisotropic media does not work properly or even fails when applied to S-wave propagation in inhomogeneous weakly anisotropic media or in the vicinity of shear-wave singularities. In both cases, the two shear waves propagate with similar phase velocities. The coupling ray theory was proposed to avoid this problem. In it, amplitudes of the two S waves are computed by solving two coupled, frequency-dependent differential equations along a common S-wave ray. In this paper, we test the recently developed approximation of coupling ray theory (CRT) based on the common S-wave rays obtained by first-order ray tracing (FORT). As a reference, we use the Fourier pseudospectral method (FM), which does not suffer from the limitations of the ray method and yields very accurate results. We study the behaviour of shear waves in weakly anisotropic media as well as in the vicinity of intersection, kiss or conical singularities. By comparing CRT and RT results with results of the FM, we demonstrate the clear superiority of CRT over RT in the mentioned regions as well as the dangers of using RT there.     

Reflected and refracted waves from a linear transition layer

Summary The problem of a transition layer lying between two homogeneous liquid media is discussed. After obtaining the formal solution for a periodic point source lying in the upper layer, the integrand in the expression for the displacement potential of the upper layer is expanded into series of negative powers of exponentials. Some of the terms in the Bromwich expansion are then evaluated along the Sommerfeld loops which give various reflected and refracted waves. The results for the refracted waves are discussed for the two extreme cases, when frequency is extremely low and extremely high. In both the cases it is found that the frequency dependence for refraction arrivals is the same as expected from a sharp boundary, viz., ^–1. And that for high frequency the travel-time of refraction arrivals is the same as expected from geometric ray theory. Both first- order and second-order discontinuities in density and bulk modulus are considered at the boundaries of the transition layer.     

Ray tracing and geodesic deviation of the SH and SV reference rays in a heterogeneous generally anisotropic medium which is approximately uniaxial

The coupling ray theory is usually applied to anisotropic common reference rays, but it is more accurate if it is applied to reference rays which are closer to the actual wave paths. If we know that a medium is close to uniaxial (transversely isotropic), it may be advantageous to trace reference rays which resemble the SH–wave and SV–wave rays. This paper is devoted to defining and tracing these SH and SV reference rays of elastic S waves in a heterogeneous generally anisotropic medium which is approximately uniaxial (approximately transversely isotropic), and to the corresponding equations of geodesic deviation (dynamic ray tracing). All presented equations are simultaneously applicable to ordinary and extraordinary reference rays of electromagnetic waves in a generally bianisotropic medium which is approximately uniaxially anisotropic. The improvement of the coupling–ray–theory seismograms calculated along the proposed SH and SV reference rays, compared to the coupling–ray–theory seismograms calculated along the anisotropic common reference rays, has already been numerically demonstrated by the authors in four approximately uniaxial velocity models.     

Vector-scattering of elastic waves by directional structural space gradients

A nonstochastic and noniterative theory of vector scattering in inhomogeneous media is presented. The elastodynamic vector wave-equation for 3D inhomogeneous media is solved for a weak heterogeneity at the high-frequency region. It is shown that there exists a forward scattered field which decays slowly along the source-receiver path. Its rate of attenuation depends on the azimuth of the path relative to the direction of the inhomogeneity, but is independent of frequency. The Green's tensor for the above regime is derived in closed form and leads to the quantification of fields of dipolar sources in weak inhomogeneous media. The inhomogeneity at the source creates a source-induced scattering (in addition to path-scattering) having a radiation-pattern that bears the signature of the source. The availability of the analytic Green's tensor, in conjunction with the Huygens-Kirchhoff-Helmholtz formalism, opens new ways to calculate the scattered fields due to various structural inhomogeneities applicable to exploration and earthquake seismology. The theoretical results of this study point to the conclusion that the scalar wave approximation may not always be valid for the propagation of seismic waves in the earth's lithosphere.     

Exact Elastodynamic Green Functions for Simple Types of Anisotropy Derived from Higher-Order Ray Theory

Using higher-order ray theory, we derived exact elastodynamic Green functions for three simple types of homogeneous anisotropy. The first type displays an orthorhombic symmetry, the other two types display transverse isotropy. In all cases, the slowness surfaces of waves are either ellipsoids, spheroids or spheres. All three Green functions are expressed by a ray series with a finite number of terms. The Green functions can be written in explicit and elementary form similar to the Stokes solution for isotropy. In two Green functions, the higher-order ray approximations form a near-singularity term, which is significant near a kiss singularity. In the third Green function, the higher-order ray approximations also form a near-field term, which is significant near the point source. No effect connected with the line singularity was observed.     

Analytical representation of Green’s functions of the Biot equations for elastic waves in a homogeneous two-phase medium

The system of Biot vector equations in the frequency space includes two elliptic-type vector partial differential equations with unknown displacement vectors in the solid and liquid phases. Considering the Biot equations, alongside with Pride’s equations, the key approaches to the theoretical study of the elastic waves in the two-phase fluid-saturated media, the author suggests an analytical solution for the inhomogeneous Biot equations in the frequency space, which is reduced to finding its fundamental solution (Green’s function). The solution of this problem consists of solutions for two systems of Biot equations. In the first system, only the first equation is inhomogeneous, while in the second system, only the second equation is inhomogeneous and, as it is shown, its right-hand side is exclusively a potential function. The fundamental solution of the full system of inhomogeneous Biot equations (in which both equations are inhomogeneous) is represented in the form of Green’s matrix-tensor, for the scalar elements of which the analytical relations are presented. The obtained formulas describing the elastic displacements of both the solid and liquid phases reflect three wave types, namely, compressional waves of the first and the second kind (the fast and the slow waves, respectively) and shear waves. Similar terms (those describing the same type of the elastic waves in the solid and liquid phases) in the expressions for Green’s functions are linked with each other through the coefficient that links the components of the displacement vectors of the solid and liquid phases corresponding to the given wave type.

     

Regional Seismic Wavefield Computation on a 3-D Heterogeneous Earth Model by Means of Coupled Traveling Wave Synthesis

-- I present a new algorithm for calculating seismic wave propagation through a three-dimensional heterogeneous medium using the framework of mode coupling theory originally developed to perform very low frequency (f < ~0.01т.05 Hz) seismic wavefield computation. It is a Greens function approach for multiple scattering within a defined volume and employs a truncated traveling wave basis set using the locked mode approximation. Interactions between incident and scattered wavefields are prescribed by mode coupling theory and account for the coupling among surface waves, body waves, and evanescent waves. The described algorithm is, in principle, applicable to global and regional wave propagation problems, but I focus on higher frequency (typically f S ~0.25 Hz) applications at regional and local distances where the locked mode approximation is best utilized and which involve wavefields strongly shaped by propagation through a highly heterogeneous crust. Synthetic examples are shown for P-SV-wave propagation through a semi-ellipsoidal basin and SH-wave propagation through a fault zone.     

浅层有限频率面波成像中的3D灵敏度核分析

本文利用面波散射的模式耦合方法,基于波恩近似和远场假设,研究了有限频率面波三维灵敏度核,针对面波在工程应用中常遇到的水平分层的背景介质模型,计算了介质扰动引起的面波相位和幅度扰动的三维灵敏度核,分析了模式耦合对三维灵敏度核的影响.结果表明,仅考虑模式自身耦合的JWKB近似,介质密度和波速扰动引起的三维灵敏度核可以蜕化为...