Angle-domain common-image gathers in generalized coordinates
The theory of angle-domain common-image gathers (ADCIGs) is extended to migrations performed in generalized 2D coordinate systems. I have developed an expression linking the definition of reflection opening angle to differential traveltime operators and spatially varying weights derived from the non-Cartesian geometry. Generalized-coordinate ADCIGs can be calculated directly using Radon-based offset-to-angle approaches for coordinate systems satisfying the Cauchy-Riemann differentiability criteria. The canonical examples of tilted-Cartesian, polar, and elliptical coordinates can be used to illustrate the ADCIG theory. I have compared analytically and numerically generated image volumes for a set of elliptically shaped reflectors. Experiments with a synthetic data set showed that elliptical-coordinate ADCIGs better resolve the reflection opening angles of steeply dipping structure, relative to conventional Cartesian image volumes, because of improved large-angle propagation and enhanced sensitivity to steep structural dips afforded by coordinate system transformations.