Reflection from a layered SH impedance ($R=(q_a-Z_{\mathrm{in}})/(q_a+Z_{\mathrm{in}})$)

Set the lower half-space load to $q_b={\mu }_b{p}_{\beta ,b}$ using the causal vertical wavenumber branch, which excludes a wave arriving from depth infinity. Apply the uniform-layer SH impedance update upwards through every layer, keeping particle velocity and traction continuous. For upper half-space impedance $q_a$, incident velocity $V_0$ and reflected velocity $R{V}_0$, the top values are $V=V_0(1+R)$ and $T=-q_a{V}_0(1-R)$. Their ratio gives the displayed reflection coefficient, incorporating every underlying interface and multiple reflection.