Space-time propagator and exact solution for wave equation in a layered system

TL;DR

This paper derives an exact space-time propagator for the wave equation in a layered system using multiple scattering theory, enabling precise analysis of wave reflection, transmission, and backward components for any initial wave packet.

Contribution

It introduces a novel exact solution for the wave equation in layered media using MST, accounting for variable phase velocities and interface effects.

Findings

Exact propagator for layered wave system obtained

Numerical visualization of wave packet dynamics conducted

Backward wave components identified and analyzed

Abstract

Exact space-time propagator for the wave (second-order in time) equation in a layered system, made up of a layer sandwiched between two other different semi-infinite layers, is obtained by means of the multiple scattering theory (MST) approach. The wave equation for this layered system is characterized by the spatial dependence of the wave phase velocity which changes in the perpendicular-to-interfaces direction when crossing the interfaces and thus having different constant values in different layers of the threelayer. The MST approach is made possible due to obtained effective potentials localized at interfaces and responsible for reflection from and propagation through them. The obtained space-time propagator exactly solves the considered wave equation for any initial value and allows for following in time the processes of reflection and transmission. The solution for an initial Gaussian wave packet is obtained, analyzed and numerically visualized for a simple case of the perpendicular-to-interfaces incoming wave. In particular, the contribution of the backward-moving components of the wave packet is revealed.