Modeling 3-D scalar waves using the Fourier finite-difference method

Fourier finite-difference (FFD) operator has both of the advantages of Fourier and finite-difference methods, it can handle the wave propagations in complex media with large velocity contrasts and wide propagation angles. In 3-D case, however, two-way splitting may cause artificial azimuthal anisotropy. In this paper, we handle the remnants of the conventional two-way splitting technique by Fourier transforms, and the azimuthal anisotropy is removed. Based on the dual-domain scheme of the FFD method, the proposed algorithm significantly reduces computational cost caused by error correction. Compared with the finite-difference method by the zero-offset records and shot profiles based on 3-D modified French model, the proposed method can properly model the primary reflected waves and is much more attractive in both computational cost and storage demand.