Wave Packets, Signaling and Resonances in a Homogeneous Waveguide

We solve the initial-boundary-value linear stability problem for small localised disturbances in a homogeneous elastic waveguide formally by applying a combined Laplace – Fourier transform. An asymptotic evaluation of the solution, expressed as an inverse Laplace – Fourier integral, is carried out by means of the mathematical formalism of absolute and convective instabilities. Wave packets, triggered by perturbations localised in space and finite in time, as well as responses to sources localised in space, with the time dependence satisfying e^−iωt + O(e^−ɛt ), for t → ∞, where Im ω₀ = 0 and ω > 0 , that is, the signaling problem, are treated. For this purpose, we analyse the dispersion relation of the problem analytically, and by solving numerically the eigenvalue stability problem. It is shown that due to double roots in a wavenumber k of the dispersion relation function D(k, ω), for real frequencies ω, that satisfy a collision criterion, wave packets with an algebraic temporal decay and signaling with an algebraic temporal growth, that is, temporal resonances, are present in a neutrally stable homogeneous waveguide. Moreover, for any admissible combination of the physical parameters, a homogeneous waveguide possesses a countable set of temporally resonant frequencies. Consequences of these results for modelling in seismology are discussed. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.