Seismic layer transfer matrix ($M_j=\left(\begin{array}{cc}\cos {\delta }_j& i\sin {\delta }_j/q_j\\ i{q}_j\sin {\delta }_j& \cos {\delta }_j\end{array}\right)$)

At normal incidence, a uniform lossless elastic wave layer of thickness $h_j$, speed $c_j$ and seismic impedance $q_j={\rho }_j{c}_j$ has wave phase thickness ${\delta }_j=\omega h_j/c_j$. With phasors proportional to $e^{-i\omega t}$, particle velocity $V$ and compressive traction $P=-T$, the displayed matrix maps $(V,P)$ from the top to the bottom. It has determinant one. Multiplying these matrices in physical order accounts for all coherent multiple reflections. Continuity of $V,P$ connects adjacent layers without another propagation factor.

The two-layer cell seismic layer transfer matrix has reciprocal eigenvalues because its determinant is one. Writing them as $e^{\pm iKd}$ gives the displayed half-trace relation. At a real frequency, an absolute half-trace exceeding one forces an exponentially growing/decaying pair instead of propagating cell modes. A long finite stack then suppresses transmission in this stop band, without dissipating energy: the missing transmitted flux is reflected. Quarter-wave layers of unequal seismic impedance give half-trace $-\frac{1}{2}(q_1/q_2+q_2/q_1)<-1$.