Abstract:
Scattering by a stack of random rough interfaces is studied. Such interfaces are common in both shallow water and deep ocean sediments due to the natural sedimentation processes. When the roughness of each interface is small, first order perturbation theory of Bass and Fuks [Wave Scattering from Statistically Rough Surfaces (Pergamon, New York, 1979)] is employed to formulate the scattered field due to such an interface. If the distances between interfaces are small compared to the acoustic wavelength and the variations of sediment properties are small, it is found that the collective scattered field due to a stack of random interfaces can be related to that due to a weak scattering volume where sound speed and density are randomly varying. Thus low-frequency subbottom scattering due to either weak volume inhomogeneities or a stack of rough interfaces can be formulated in a unified fashion. [Work supported by ONR.]