| Abstract: | This paper presents a calculation of the attenuation length of Rayleigh surface waves in the presence of surface roughness. We consider Rayleigh waves on the surface of a semi-infinite isotropic elastic continuum, and the method we use produces the contribution to the attenuation rate proportional to the square of the rms amplitude of the roughness. We obtain explicit expressions for the contribution to the attenuation rate from roughness-induced scattering into bulk transverse and longitudinal acoustic waves, and into Rayleigh waves. Our derivation makes use of a Green's function method. When the wavelength λ of the Rayleigh wave is long compared to the transverse correlation length a that characterizes the surface roughness, all contributions to the attenuation rate are proportional to the fifth power of the frequency. When λ is comparable to or smaller than a, the attenuation constant varies more slowly with frequency. For a model of the surface roughness, we present numerical calculations of the relative magnitude and frequency dependence of the various contributions to the attenuation rate. The Green's functions used here may be applied to a number of calculations. A derivation of their form is provided in an Appendix. |
