Transformation of spatial and perturbation derivatives of travel time at a general interface between two general media

Ludek Klimes

Summary

We consider the partial derivatives of travel time with respect to both spatial coordinates and perturbation parameters. We derive the explicit equations for transforming these travel-time derivatives of arbitrary orders at a general smooth interface between two general media. The equations are applicable to both real-valued and complex-valued travel time. The equations are expressed in terms of a general Hamiltonian function and are applicable to the transformation of travel-time derivatives in both isotropic and anisotropic media. The interface is specified by an implicit equation. No local coordinates are needed for the transformation.

Keywords

Ray theory, Hamilton-Jacobi equation, eikonal equation, travel time (action), spatial derivatives of travel time, perturbation derivatives of travel time, reflection or refraction at curved interfaces, anisotropy, heterogeneous media, paraxial approximation, Gaussian beams, wave propagation.

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In: Seismic Waves in Complex 3-D Structures, Report 20, pp. 103-114, Dep. Geophys., Charles Univ., Prague, 2010.