Analytical solution to Scholte's secular equation for isotropic elastic media

In terms of a Cauchy integrals based method, robust analytical expression was obtained to predict the unique physical solution to Scholte's slowness for all elastic and isotropic medium. In particular, it is found that at the limit where the fluid above the solid vanishes, the slowness with which the interface wave propagates corresponds, as expected, to that of a Rayleigh wave. The results show that a Scholte wave's propagation speed is less than or equal to a Rayleigh wave.

Automated summary

A robust analytical expression was obtained to predict the unique physical solution to Scholte's slowness for all elastic and isotropic medium using a Cauchy integrals based method. It was found that in the limit where the fluid above the solid vanishes, the slowness of the interface wave corresponds to that of a Rayleigh wave, indicating that a Scholte wave's propagation speed is less than or equal to a Rayleigh wave.