Seismic scanning tunneling macroscope - Theory

  • G. T. Schuster*
  • , S. M. Hanafy
  • , Y. Huang
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

We propose a seismic scanning tunneling macroscope (SSTM) that can detect and distinguish subwavelength scatterers in the near-field of either the source or the receivers. Analytic formulas for the time reverse mirror (TRM) profile associated with a single scatterer model show that the spatial resolution limit to be, unlike the Abbe limit of λ/2, independent of wavelength and linearly proportional to the sourcescatterer separation as long as the scatterer is in the near-field region. This means that, as the scatterer approaches the source, spatial imaging with super-resolution can be achieved. This is analogous to an optical scanning tunneling microscope that has sub-wavelength resolution. Scaled to seismic frequencies, it is theoretically possible to extract 100 Hz information from 20 Hz data by imaging of near-field seismic energy.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication74th European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers Conference and Exhibition 2012 Incorporating SPE EUROPEC 2012
Subtitle of host publicationResponsibly Securing Natural Resources
PublisherEuropean Association of Geoscientists and Engineers, EAGE
Pages770-774
Number of pages5
ISBN (Electronic)9781629937908
StatePublished - 2012
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

Name74th European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers Conference and Exhibition 2012 Incorporating SPE EUROPEC 2012: Responsibly Securing Natural Resources

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geochemistry and Petrology
  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology

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