A scaled mapping parabolic equation for sloping range-dependent environments.

Parabolic equation solutions use various techniques for approximating range-dependent interfaces. One is a mapping approach [M. D. Collins et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 107, 1937-1942 (2000)] where at each range the domain is vertically translated so that sloping bathymetry becomes horizontal, and range dependence is transferred to the upper surface. In this paper, a scaled mapping is suggested where the domain is vertically distorted so that both the bathymetry and upper surface are horizontal. Accuracy is demonstrated for problems involving fluid sediments. Generalizations of the approach should be useful for environments with layer thicknesses that vary with range.