Scattering of Rayleigh waves by a statistical inhomogeneity of the mass density

Abstract

The problem of the scattering of a Rayleigh wave by a surface inhomogeneity of the mass density of an isotropic solid is solved in the Born approximation of perturbation theory. The inhomogeneity is statistical with a Gaussian correlation function in the plane parallel to the surface and is deterministic with an exponentially decaying dependence on the coordinate perpendicular to the surface. Expressions are derived for the displacement fields in the scattered longitudinal (P), transverse (SV and SH), and Rayleigh (R) waves at large distances from the inhomogeneity. The Rayleigh wave energy scattering coefficients are calculated as functions of the wavelength λ, the correlation length a of the inhomogeneity, the depth d of the defective layer, and the Poisson ratio of the medium, σ. The angular distribution of the scattered Rayleigh wave energy is determined. Asymptotic expressions are obtained for the scattering coefficient in various limiting cases with respect to the parameters a/λ and λ/d. The relation between the energies in the scattered P, SV, SH, and R waves is established. The resulting equations are used to calculate the scattering coefficients numerically over a wide range of variation of the parameters a/λ, λ/d, and σ; the results are presented in the form of graphs and a table. A physical pattern of the scattering process is constructed and used as a basis for interpreting the results of the study.