An algorithm for the computation of the second term of ray series in an inhomogeneous isotropic elastic medium (Q677281)

A computational algorithm for the second term of the ray method series in the case of elastic inhomogeneous isotropic media is proposed. The main idea can be formulated as follows. Let the central ray of the ray tube be known. We introduce the ray-centered coordinates \(s\), \(q_1\), \(q_2\) in a vicinity of the central ray; then rays from the ray tube can be described by functions \(q_i= q_i(s,\gamma_1,\gamma_2)\), \(i=1,2\), where \(s\) is arc length of the central ray, and \(\gamma_j\), \(j=1,2\) are ray parameters. We show that integrand of the second term of the ray method series can be expressed through derivatives of functions \(q_i\) with respect to \(\gamma_j\). Then additional differential equations for the derivatives can be obtained from Euler equations for the rays.