The overall objective of this thesis was to predict, model and measure low frequency acoustic backscatter from the sea surface zone (SSZ). In particular, the objectives were fourfold: to relate the acoustic backscatter Doppler spectrum to the directional waveheight spectrum (DWS) through a perturbation analysis; to develop instrumentation suitable for measuring the properties of acoustic backscatter from the SSZ; to design and implement signal processing hardware and software to process raw data from the instrument; and to deploy the instrument and make measurements to test the validity of the predictions of the theoretical development. A theoretical framework was developed to enable a test of the acoustic analogue of the Coastal Ocean Dynamics Applications Radar (CODAR) technique, using beamforming techniques to simulate the CODAR antennas. Expressions relating the CODAR antenna outputs to the output of an array of omnidirectional acoustic point sensors were developed, and mathematical algorithms and techniques were derived to extract information about the DWS of surface gravity waves from acoustic Doppler backscatter measurements with the array. Models were developed and implemented, showing the expected form of the power spectral density of the acoustic Doppler backscatter seen by single omnidirectional receivers, and the expected form of data products of the beamformed array. An acoustic instrument — the Upward-Looking Sonar Array System (ULSAS) — was developed for stand-alone, remotely controlled operation in both bottom-situated and deep-water, surface-tethered configurations. This device can collect and store large quantities of acoustic data from a multi-element array, under the control of a distant operator over a radio link. The bottom-situated version was deployed in the coastal waters of British Columbia, and the deep water version was deployed in the recent Surface Wave Processes (SWAPP) experiment. A preliminary test of the acoustic CODAR technique was made, yielding information consistent with the known wind and wave field. The form of the non-directional part of the extracted DWS followed approximately the expected k⁻⁴ shape for k values above saturation. Beamforming results using frequency-domain data show that the Doppler-shifted acoustic backscatter is directional in nature. These are the first results of this kind to be reported. The deep-water version of ULSAS was tested for the first time during the SWAPP cruise. In spite of a problem limiting the power output of the projector, estimates of the surface scattering strength parameter over angles of incidence less than 45° were made, showing some surprising departures from the Chapman-Harris empirical formula for S₅ , and interesting angular structure. Measurements of the ambient noise field were also made under calm conditions and during 14 kt winds. / Science, Faculty of / Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of / Graduate

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Thesis. 1978. Ph.D.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Earth and Planetary Sciences. / Microfiche copy available in Archives and Science. / Bibliography : leaves 241-256. / Ph.D.

This research focuses on estimating the shear wave velocity (Vs) profile based on the dispersion curve obtained from SASW field test data (i.e., inversion of SASW data). It is common for the person performing the inversion to assume the prior information required to constrain the problem based on his/her own judgment. Additionally, the Vs profile is usually shown as unique without giving a range of possible solutions. For these reasons, this work focuses on: (i) studying the non-uniqueness of the solution to the inverse problem; (ii) implementing an inversion procedure that presents the estimated model parameters in a way that reflects their uncertainties; and (iii) evaluating tools that help choose the appropriate prior information. One global and one local search procedures were chosen to accomplish these purposes: a pure Monte Carlo method and the maximum likelihood method, respectively. The pure Monte Carlo method was chosen to study the non-uniqueness by looking at the range of acceptable solutions (i.e., Vs profiles) obtained with as few constraints as possible. The maximum likelihood method was chosen because it is a statistical approach, which enables us to estimate the uncertainties of the resulting model parameters and to apply tools such as the Bayesian criterion to help select the prior information objectively. The above inversion methods were implemented for synthetic data, which was produced with the same forward algorithm used during inversion. This implies that all uncertainties were caused by the nature of the SASW inversion problem (i.e., there were no uncertainties added by experimental errors in data collection, analysis of the data to create the dispersion curve, layered model to represent a real 3-D soil stratification, or wave propagation theory). At the end of the research, the maximum likelihood method of inversion and the tools for the selection of prior information were successfully used with real experimental data obtained in Memphis, Tennessee.

The propagation of acoustic plate-mode waves in composite membranes is studied. A computer program has been developed and used to calculate the wave velocity and electromechanical coupling factor in these structures which may consist of any combination of piezoelectric layers with arbitrary orientation and surface metallization. In particular, shear modes (SH) in zinc-oxide and selenium membranes, as well as stiffened-Lamb modes in ZnO membranes and ZnO/Si, ZnO/GaAs composite membranes are studied. / The surface-acoustic-wave propagation in selenium and in selenium layers on tellurium has been extensively studied using an improved computer program. The study shows that surface-wave coupling factors in the range of 0.5 to 1.5% are possible with these structures. The calculated sensitivity of the velocity and coupling factor to errors in material constants shows that an accurate value of the e(,11) constant for selenium is necessary for an accurate estimate of the coupling factor. / A technology for fabricating selenium-tellurium layered structures for SAW propagation has been successfully developed. Measurements on fabricated SAW delay lines were carried out and estimates of the coupling factor and the acoustic attenuation obtained. These measurements, taken together with previously published results, confirm that the published value of e(,11) = 0.32 C/m('2) is too small.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 1998. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 401-406). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.