Asymptotics of resonances and geometry of resonance states in the problem of scattering of acoustic waves by a spherically symmetric inhomogeneity of the density (Q1891557)

The paper deals with the problem of the propagation of acoustic waves in a nonhomogeneous three-dimensional medium, governing by the wave equation: \(\rho(x) u_{ii}- \Delta u= 0\), \(x= x(x_1, x_2, x_3)\in R^3\), \(\rho= \rho(r)\), \(r= |x|= (x^2_1+ x^2_2+ x^2_3)^{1/2}\), where \(\rho\) is the density of the medium and the modulus of elasticity of the medium is equal to 1. Here \(\rho(r)= 1\) for \(r> \alpha\) \((\alpha> 0)\), \(\rho\) is smooth and positive for \(0< r< \alpha\) and has a finite jump on \(r= \alpha\) (such that \(\rho(\alpha- 0)\neq 0\)), or a singularity corresponding to infinite rarefaction \((\rho(\alpha- 0)= 0)\), or infinite condensation \((\rho(\alpha- 0)= \infty)\). The existence of a high-frequency series of long-living resonances, appearing in this problem, is shown and explicit asymptotic formulae for these resonances are obtained. It is proved that the resonance states, corresponding to each series, form a Riesz basis in the subspace of the energy space, which is an orthogonal complement of incoming and outgoing subspaces. Here the Foias-Sz.-Nagy theory of contraction operators and the Lax-Phillips theory are using, as an explicit description of all main elements of the last scheme is given.