Multiple scattering theory for heterogeneous elastic continua with strong property fluctuation: theoretical fundamentals and applications

TL;DR

This paper introduces a multiple scattering model for heterogeneous elastic media with strong property fluctuations, enabling accurate analysis of wave dispersion and attenuation in various materials and geophysical contexts.

Contribution

The work develops an exact solution to the dispersion equation for strongly fluctuating elastic continua, advancing microstructural characterization and wave analysis.

Findings

Captures major dispersion and attenuation features in heterogeneous materials

Reveals existence of two propagation modes and negative dispersion

Provides insights into seismic attenuation mechanisms

Abstract

In this work, the author developed a multiple scattering model for heterogeneous elastic continua with strong property fluctuation and obtained the exact solution to the dispersion equation derived from the Dyson equation under the first-order smoothing approximation. The model establishes accurate quantitative relation between the microstructural properties and the coherent wave propagation parameters and can be used for characterization or inversion of microstructures. As applications of the new model, dispersion and attenuation curves for coherent waves in the Earth lithosphere, the porous and two-phase alloys, and human cortical bone are calculated. Detailed analysis shows the model can capture the major dispersion and attenuation characteristics, such as the longitudinal and transverse wave Q-factors and their ratios, existence of two propagation modes, anomalous negative dispersion, nonlinear attenuation-frequency relation, and even the disappearance of coherent waves. Additionally, it helps gain new insights into a series of longstanding problems, such as the dominant mechanism of seismic attenuation and the existence of the Mohorovicic discontinuity. This work provides a general and accurate theoretical framework for quantitative characterization of microstructures in a broad spectrum of heterogeneous materials and it is anticipated to have vital applications in seismology, ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation and biomedical ultrasound.