Invention:
This invention is a novel method of surface and subsurface detection in geological environments by using the geometric phase of seismic waves as a function of acoustic frequency. This method has application for accurate detection of oil and gas deposits, as well as enabling industrial application in sensing and discovery that are unavailable from current active source methods. Green's functions can be obtained from cross correlation techniques when either the location of an acoustic source is known or when it is unknown. The geometric phase as a function of frequency is a sensitive indicator of the structure of surface and subsurface features in the geological environment. The sensitivity of geometric phase sensing provides unique advantages in the detection of features (e.g., oil and gas deposits, geological structures) compared to current active or passive source techniques that depend only on the amplitude of reflected and transmitted waves.
Background:
Traditional seismic sensing methods predominantly use the amplitude of seismic waves to infer the presence and characteristics of subsurface features. However, these methods can be limited in their resolution and sensitivity, particularly in complex geological environments. The geometric phase of seismic waves, which changes with frequency, offers a more detailed picture of geological structures. This invention opens new opportunities for the detection of surface and subsurface features in the geological environment which will allow for accurate and robust detection of oil and gas deposits, among other subsurface and surface resources. The information available from the geometric phase as a function of frequency will enable industrial application in sensing and discovery that are unavailable from current active source methods.
Applications:
- Environmental surface and subsurface detection
- Geological formation mapping
- Mining exploration
- Oil & gas industry
Advantages:
- Greater sensitivity
- Greater precision
- Expanded detection opportunities
