Second-and higher-order traveltimes for seismic imaging
US6324478A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 24, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 27, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 24, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V1/305
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Seismic traveltimes are computed using a conditional high-order method: the traveltime computation operator is second- or higher-order if enough suitable upwind traveltimes are available, and first-order otherwise. Typically, a first-order operator is employed only around singularities, e.g. corners and cusps; a high-order operator is employed for the vast majority of grid points in the target volume. Selectively switching to first-order makes the method relatively simple and computationally efficient, as compared to a pure high-order method. At the same time, most traveltimes are computed to high-order accuracy. In the preferred embodiment, the traveltime front is selectively advanced at its minimum traveltime grid point, using a finite-difference approximation to the eikonal equation. A narrow band propagation zone is used to advance the finite-difference stencil. Tentative traveltimes for the narrow band adjacent to the traveltime front are computed using the eikonal equation and arranged on a heap. The minimum traveltime (top of the heap) is selected as an accepted traveltime, saved in the output table, and removed from the heap. Tentative traveltimes for all non-accepted grid …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.