Extended local Rytov Fourier migration method

Abstract

We develop a novel depth‐migration method termed the extended local Rytov Fourier (ELRF) migration method. It is based on the scalar wave equation and a local application of the Rytov approximation within each extrapolation interval. Wavefields are Fourier transformed back and forth between the frequency‐space and frequency‐wavenumber domains during wavefield extrapolation. The lateral slowness variations are taken into account in the frequency‐space domain. The method is efficient due to the use of a fast Fourier transform algorithm. Under the small angle approximation, the ELRF method leads to the split‐step Fourier (SSF) method that is unconditionally stable. The ELRF method and the extended local Born Fourier (ELBF) method that we previously developed can handle wider propagation angles than the SSF method and account for the phase and amplitude changes due to the lateral variations of slowness, whereas the SSF method only accounts for the phase changes. The stability of the ELRF method is controlled more easily than that of the ELBF method.