5aUW1. Complex rays and waveforms near caustics.

Session: Friday Morning, December 6

Time: 8:04


Author: Chris T. Tindle
Location: Phys. Dept., Univ. Auckland, Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
Author: Gary E. J. Bold
Location: Phys. Dept., Univ. Auckland, Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand

Abstract:

Ray theory can be carried into a shadow zone using rays of complex launch angle but the search for eigenrays is usually impractical. A new approach first finds the ``measurement front,'' i.e., the continuous curve of ray depth, as a function of arrival time at a fixed range. The measurement front folds back on itself when the rays touch a caustic. The measurement front can be continued beyond the caustic into the shadow zone using rays of complex launch angle. Points at a fixed depth on the measurement front represent ray arrivals at a hydrophone. Waveforms can be calculated directly from the ray arrivals. Airy functions are used for ray amplitudes near caustics.


ASA 132nd meeting - Hawaii, December 1996