Numéro
J. Phys. Colloques
Volume 51, Numéro C2, Février 1990
Premier Congrès Français d'Acoustique / First French Conference on Acoustics
Page(s) C2-965 - C2-968
DOI https://doi.org/10.1051/jphyscol:19902225
Premier Congrès Français d'Acoustique / First French Conference on Acoustics

J. Phys. Colloques 51 (1990) C2-965-C2-968

DOI: 10.1051/jphyscol:19902225

CHAOTIC RAY PATHS IN UNDERWATER ACOUSTICS

D.R. PALMER1, T.M. GEORGES2 et R.M. JONES2

1  NOAA/Atlantic Oceonographic and Meteorological Laboratory, 4301 Rickenbacker Cswy, Miami, Florida 33149, U.S.A.
2  NOAA/Wave Propagation Laboratory, 325 Broadway, Boulder, Colorado 80303, U.S.A.


Abstract
We simulate and explore the properties of chaotic ray paths in a weakly range-dependent, deterministic ocean. Chaos results from nonlinearity of the differential equations that determine the ray paths, rather than from randomness in the model of the medium or from externally imposed noise. Extreme sensitivity to model details and initial ray conditions places a practical limit on the predictability of acoustic field properties, such as travel time. Chaotic ray paths are identified using the traditional Poincare section, power spectra and exponential sensitivity to initial conditions. We also discuss new diagnostic techniques that have some advantages over the traditional ones.