Surface waves in media having lateral inhomogeneities

Summary On the basis of Alsop's method (1966), approximated reflection and transmission coefficients are obtained for surface waves obliquely incident at a vertical discontinuity. Rayleigh and Love waves are arranged in such a way that they form a homogeneous eigenfunction system and their mutual conversion into each other is compatible with this theory. The structure of the eigenvalue equation is responsible for the mathematical complications in many surface wave problems. On the basis of a computer routine, first result concerning the angular dependence of the reflection and transmission coefficients including mode conversion are presented. The problem of phase jump is discussed. A comparison of theoretical and experimental results shows the applicability of Alsop's method for 90°-corners, too.