Modelling of sound propagation in the ocean using the matrix propagator

Abstract

The problem of sound propagation in an oceanic waveguide is considered. Attention is concentrated on properties of a wavefield propagator that governs transformation of an arbitrary wavefield in course of propagation. Using the basis of normal modes, we can represent the propagator in the matrix form. If horizontal inhomogeneity of a waveguide is weak, the propagator can be calculated by means of the first-order perturbation theory. In the case of random inhomogeneity, the apparatus of random matrix theory can be exploited. We demonstrate methods of propagator construction for realistic models of waveguides, including waveguides with adiabatic inhomogeneities and shallow-sea waveguides. A scheme of experimental measurement of a propagator in a shallow-sea waveguide is proposed.