No label defined (Q4345385)

The paper presents a general approach to the wave propagation in a layer described by a vectorial differential equation depending on the (transversal to the layer) coordinate \(z\). The need for considering the vector approach stems from the fact that a coupling can exist between the spatial components (owing to anisotropy or to a bias). The starting point of the paper is constituted by the vector equation \((Gv)'+ \omega^2Sv -\omega C'v =0\), where the prime denotes the derivatives with respect to \(z,v\) is the \(n\)-vector describing the field, \(\omega\) is the frequency (harmonic time fields are considered), \(G\) and \(S\) are diagonal matrices which are supposed to be positive definite, and \(C\) represents the coupling effects. By the use of a standard substitution, \(w= Gv'\), the initial equation is transformed into a system of equations reading as follows \({v\brack w}' =\left [\begin{smallmatrix} 0 & A_{12} \\ A_{21} & 0 \end{smallmatrix} \right] {v\brack w}\), where \(A_{12}\) and \(A_{21}\) are suitable matrices. Then, two vectors \(v\) and \(w\) are expressed as a linear combination of two new vectors, the forward wave \(v^+\) and the backward wave \(v^-\). The procedure is similar to that used in scattering theory, but here the scattering coefficients depend on the coordinate \(z\). Due to the simple form of the matrices \(G\) and \(S\) (positive definite and diagonal), the vector equations for the vectors \(v^+\) and \(v^-\) can be obtained in a closed form. The right parts of the equations contain three additive terms: a) term corresponding to the homogeneous case and the absence of coupling (given in a splitted form); b) term corresponding to the effect of inhomogeneity, and c) term corresponding to the coupling effects. A sufficient condition for the existence of solution is given as a theorem. An another condition for the existence of solution is obtained via an imbedding procedure which could provide an inverse problem formulation. The paper is very interesting; some practical examples, however, would have been of great use to the reader.