Extension of forward modeling phase-screen code in isotropic and anisotropic media up to critical angle

Abstract

The computationally efficient phase-screen forward modeling technique is extended to allow investigation of nonnormal raypaths. The code is developed to accommodate all diffracted and converted phases up to critical angle, building on a geometric construction method. The new approach relies upon prescanning the model space to assess the complexity of each screen. The propagating wavefields are then divided as a function of horizontal wavenumber, and each subset is transformed to the spatial domain separately, carrying with it angular information. This allows both locally accurate 3D phase corrections and Zoeppritz reflection and transmission coefficients to be applied. The phase-screen code is further developed to handle simple anisotropic media. During phase-screen modeling, propagation is undertaken in the wavenumber domain where exact expressions for anisotropic phase velocities are available. Traveltimes and amplitude effects from a range of anisotropic shales are computed and compared with previous published results.