Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2005/iii/paper-82/2/i/solution

Choose depth positive downwards, the free surface at and the interface at . A Love wave has only transverse displacement field . Take , , and define
A trapped mode requires , so both are positive. The SH equations are in the layer and in the half-space. Zero shear traction at the free surface and decay at large depth select
Continuity of displacement field and shear traction at gives and . Consequently
Substituting the definitions of yields the requested speed-frequency dispersion relation. For negative frequency use in both vertical wavenumbers; the real displacement field has conjugate frequency partners. Neither equality in the trapped-speed interval gives a strictly localized finite-frequency Love mode.

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