On multidimensional ultrasonic scattering in an inhomogeneous elastic background

This work is concerned with the modeling of elastic wave scattering by solid or fluid-filled objects embedded in an inhomogeneous elastic background. The medium is probed by a monochromatic force and the scattered field is computed (forward problem) or observed (inverse problem) at some known receiver locations. Based on vector integral equations for elastic scattering, a general framework is developed, independent of both the problem geometry and the transmitter-receiver characteristics. This framework encompasses both forward and inverse modeling. In the forward model, a Born approximation for an inhomogeneous background is applied to obtain a closed form expression for the scattered field. In the inverse model, this approximation is also invoked to linearize for the multiparameter characteristic of the object. Finally, an iterative inversion scheme alternating forward and inverse modeling is proposed to improve the resolution and accuracy of the reconstruction algorithm.