Comparison of ray-matrix and finite-difference methods in a simple 1-D velocity model

The ray-matrix method can extend the applicability of ray methods to 3-D heterogeneous velocity models containing thin stacks of fine isotropic or anisotropic layers. Ray-matrix synthetic seismograms are compared with finite-difference synthetic seismograms in a simple 1-D velocity model, consisting of a low velocity layer covering a homogeneous halfspace. The agreement between the ray-matrix and finite-difference synthetic seismograms is very good. Moreover, the ray-matrix seismograms do not suffer from extremely thin layers, from anisotropy, and from reflections from the non-reflecting boundaries typical for finite differences.