Using a given velocity model, the Snell-beam transform maps data from the offset--traveltime domain into the horizontal-slowness--vertical-traveltime domain. This transform can be used as an alternative to the usual transform to perform the plane wave decomposition of the data, with the difference that no further moveout correction is required. Furthermore, as opposed to local slant-stacks, geometrical corrections are performed in an appropriate way (within a 2.5 D assumption), without losing the advantages of a local stack transform.
The application of the transform to synthetic data shows a good agreement between shapes of the amplitude curves of the several different elastic interfaces, and their theoretical curves.
The results are also in accordance with the application of the transform, followed by a normal-moveout correction to the vertical traveltime. However, multiples and noises in general are weaker on the Snell-beam transform, due to the local character of the beam-stack transform.
To retrieve the reflectivity matrix (R(t0,p)) several operations are necessary. The Snell-driven beam-stack transforms the recorded data into the desired t0-p domain, with the additional compensation for divergence, and radiation pattern.