Max-mode method of Rayleigh wave prospecting in frequency-wavenumber domain

The dispersion of Rayleigh wave has a wide application in seismic exploration and engineering investigation, but there are still some problems not to be solved. For example, when low velocity layers exist in the medium, the dispersion curve obtained from seismogram is a 'zigzag' curve, and the fundamental mode inversion method is not applicable to deal with it. To understand the 'zigzag' dispersion curve appeared in the application, the max-mode (maximal amplitude in frequency-wavenumber domain) is defined and applied to the measure of dispersion curve and the inversion analysis of stratum. From the inversion simulation and measured data, it can be seen that the max-mode method can solve the problem of the inversion of 'zigzag' dispersion curves effectively.