The acoustic field propagating in the underwater sound channel

Abstract

The acoustic field in ocean with the sound velocity profile in depth was evaluated by Shell function method. Taking account of the vibrating area of the practical source, Shell function method can be applied to solving the acoustic field in ar-bitray inhomogenous media, including the focusing regions, without any kind of corrections. The computational result of the sound pressure was described by color to represent the propagation of the acoustic wave in the sound channel. Special attention of Shell function method is given to the acoustic waves received at the observation point, the travel time of rays from the observation point to the source, and the concerning area element of the source. In term of these information, the sound pressure and the propagational behavior can be predicted. Consequently, the travel time and the convergent state of rays arriving at the source surface, are investigated in detail to get an understanding of the effect of the area (or length) of the practical source on the sound field.