The Scattering Theory of Lax and Phillips and Wave Propagation Problems of Classical Physics.

Abstract

P. D. Lax and R. S. Phillips have developed an abstract theory of scattering for groups of unitary operators U(t) = exp(-it Lambda) acting on a Hilbert space and have applied it to various wave propagation problems for which Lambda is a partial differential operator. The scope of these applications has been limited by the assumptions that Lambda was elliptic and had smooth coefficients. In this paper it is shown how the abstract theory of Lax and Phillips can be applied to a class of nonelliptic operators Lambda with discontinuous coefficients. Examples include the equations for acoustic, electromagnetic and elastic waves in inhomogeneous media whose properties vary discontinuously. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1971
Accession Number
AD0737305

Entities

People

  • Calvin H. Wilcox
  • James A. Lavita
  • John R. Schulenberger

Organizations

  • University of Utah

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Coefficients
  • Elastic Waves
  • Equations
  • Hilbert Space
  • Mathematics
  • Scattering
  • Wave Propagation
  • Waves

Fields of Study

  • Mathematics

Readers

  • Acoustical Oceanography.
  • Combustion Dynamics and Shock Wave Physics.
  • Linear Algebra

Technology Areas

  • Space