Effect of a caustic phase shift on reflection of a Rayleigh wave from the rib of a wedge

The reflection of a surface acoustical Rayleigh wave from the rib of an acutely angled elastic wedge with slanted incidence is theoretically investigated. An approximate approach is used for solving the problem which is based on geometrical optics (acoustics). One of the most interesting results of the performed analysis is establishment of the fact of existence of a substantial effect of the phase shift of the symmetrical mode of the field, which forms with its reflection from the caustic (the caustic phase shift), on the angular relation of the modulus of the reflection coefficient.