Phase of the seabed frequency-domain reflection coefficient: Measurements and modeling

The phase of the seabed frequency-domain reflection coefficient potentially contains valuable information on the geoacoustic properties in a layered/refracting seabed. However, heretofore, the phase has not been exploited. Measurements of phase are presented in an area of thick mud at the New England Mud Patch. In addition, a model is presented along with the modeling results. While this is only a first step towards understanding the potential value of exploiting the phase, it seems clear that in some instances, the phase not only contains valuable geoacoustic information, but carries a higher information content than the magnitude.