Geophysical subsurface probing with radio-frequency interferometry

Abstract

The radio-frequency interferometry method can be used to probe interiors of celestial bodies and terrestrial areas with low conductivity. In order to interpret the interference patterns, a theoretical study is made of the electromagnetic fields due to a dipole antenna on the surface of a horizontally stratified n-layered medium. Three approaches are used to calculate the interference patterns: direct numerical integration, asymptotic evaluation by the saddle point method, and a residue series approach. The asymptotic approach leads to the geometrical-optics interpretation. The residue approach leads to modal analysis. The validity of the formulation is checked by comparisons with analog model tank experiments and actual field data obtained from glaciers.