Three-dimensional acoustic modeling by the Fourier method

A three-dimensional forward modeling algorithm, allowing arbitrary density and arbitrary wave propagation velocity in lateral and vertical directions, directly solves the acoustic wave equation through spatial and temporal discretization. Spatial partial differentiation is performed in the Fourier domain. Time stepping is performed with a second-order differencing operator. Modeling includes an optional free surface above the spatial grid. An absorbing boundary is applied on the lateral and bottom edges of the spatial grid. The computational feasibility of the Fourier method is demonstrated by implementation on the multiprocessor CRAY X-MP computer system. -from Authors