The ray field can display a complicated pattern near singularities (acoustic axes) in inhomogeneous anisotropic elastic media. The peculiarities in the ray field arise particularly near conical and wedge singularities, which generate linear, circular, or elliptical anticaustics in their vicinities. The anticaustics represent barriers for rays and prevent the rays from crossing them. If the rays approach the anticaustic, they can be strongly curved and deflected from their original direction. The rays outside the anticaustic are forced to move around the anticaustic. The rays inside the anticaustic are captured and forced to pass the caustic generated by the singularity.
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SW3D
- main page of consortium Seismic Waves in Complex 3-D Structures .