Boundary reflection coefficient estimation from depth dependence of the acoustic Green's function

Sound propagation in a waveguide is greatly dependent on the acoustic properties of the boundaries. The effect of these properties can be described by a bottom reflection coefficient RB, and surface reflection coefficient RS. Two methods for estimating reflection coefficients are used in this research. The first, the ratio method, is based on the variations of the Green's function with depth utilizing the ratio of the wavenumber spectra at two depths. The second, the pole method, is based on the wavenumbers of the modal peaks in the spectrum at a particular depth. A method to invert for sound speed and density is also examined. Estimates of RB and RS based on synthetic data by the ratio method were very close to their predicted values, especially for higher frequencies and longer apertures. The pole method returned less precise estimates though with longer apertures, the estimates were better. Using experimental data, results of the pole method as well a geoacoustic inversion technique based on them were mixed. The ratio method was used to estimate RS based on the actual data and returned results close to the predicted phase of p.