Theory of sound propagation in a quasistratified ocean

The problem of sound propagation in a real, inhomogeneous ocean is multidimensional and is a boundary value problem, which leads to serious difficulties in numerical modeling and analysis by means of the statistical theory of random processes. As a result, many investigators have developed approximate methods for the solution of such problems. Nonetheless, existing approximate methods have the deficiency that they eliminate from consideration important effects involving scattering of sound waves or the properties of the scattered field. The present paper proposes a method for approximate solution of the problem of sound propagation in a three-dimensional quasistratified ocean. In the description of a solution by means of a one-dimensional integral equation. account is taken of the important properties of the scattered field. In addition, a simple example is used to illustrate the qualitative properties of the proposed method.