Phase of the seabed frequency-domain reflection coefficient: Measurements and modelinga)

Area of Science:

• Geophysics
• Oceanography
• Acoustics

Background:

• Seabed geoacoustic properties are crucial for underwater acoustics.
• The phase of the frequency-domain reflection coefficient is a largely unexploited source of geoacoustic information.
• Layered and refracting seabeds present unique challenges for acoustic modeling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of seabed reflection coefficient phase for geoacoustic property assessment.
• To present measurements and a model for analyzing phase information.
• To compare the information content of phase versus magnitude in geoacoustic studies.

Main Methods:

• Field measurements of seabed reflection coefficient phase were conducted at the New England Mud Patch.
• A numerical model was developed to analyze the phase data.
• The information content of phase and magnitude was compared.

Main Results:

• Measurements demonstrated the feasibility of acquiring seabed reflection coefficient phase data.
• The presented model successfully analyzed the phase information.
• In certain scenarios, the phase contained higher geoacoustic information content than the magnitude.

Conclusions:

• The phase of the seabed reflection coefficient is a valuable, yet underutilized, parameter for characterizing geoacoustic properties.
• Exploiting phase information offers a promising avenue for enhanced seabed analysis.
• Further research is warranted to fully understand and apply phase-based geoacoustic assessment.