Self-orthogonal sextic formalism for anisotropic elastic media: spaces of simple reflection and two component surface waves

Abstract

There are six polarization and traction vectors involved as normalized Stroh eigenvectors components in the subsonic surface wave theory. By introducing new sets of self-orthogonal vectors related to the Stroh eigenvector components, a series of linear dependence/independence relations between those vectors can be established. Using such a self-orthogonal sextic formalism, analysis of the spaces of simple reflection, the existence of two component surface waves and supersonic surface waves become more explicit and straightforward.