f Ray field segment computation - An efficient and flexible wave propagation technique

There is an increasing interest in integration of ray-based wave propagation in different seismic procedures. This calls for efficient and robust ray modelling techniques. with flexibility to be integrated in a wide variety of applications. Traditionally, the ray calculation techniques have focused on the calculation of single rays. The two common techniques, ray shooting and ray bending, both basically search for a single ray between one shot and one receiver, and the search is repeated to simulate surveys. A more recent approach, the wavefront construction [1],[2], scans time step by time step through the rayfield, the entire field composed by the rays. Arrivals are recorded as the wavefront passes receivers. Ray modelling works on a geometrical model of the subsurface. It is assumed that the model consists of continuons, smooth velocity fields, separated by continuous and smooth interfaces. There are no restrictions on model geometry.