0 0

+45

Phase

+90

180

Time

Time

Time

Time

The phase of a seismic wave describes its behaviour at zero time

Phase Spectrum
Waves in phase Waves out of phase

SUM

SUM

Time

Time

Time

Time

If the phase of each contributing wave is zero we get a sharp wavelet If the phase varies we get a broad long wavelet

Ricker Wavelet
8-15-50-60 Amplitude wavelet 30 Hz Ricker Amplitude wavelet

Bandwidth

Time

Frequency

Frequency

We should really describe a wavelet in terms of upper and lower frequencies. Sometimes we use a shortcut just the strongest frequency

Phase of the Wavelet (1)

Reflector

Impedance Minimu m Phase

Zero Phase

Mixed Phase

Zero Phase & Minimum Phase

Phase

Zero Phase

Amplitude

Frequency Phase Frequency

Minimum Phase

Frequency A given amplitude spectrum can correspond to many wavelets. Two special cases are the zero and minimum phase wavelets

Frequency Spectrum
Single Frequency Wave
Amplitude

Time

Frequency

A single frequency wave is not much use to us - it has no resolution

Frequency Spectrum
Good Wavelet
Amplitude 0 Bandwidth Frequency Phase

Time

Frequency

A good wavelet is sharp, symmetrical, has a large bandwidth. All the components have zero phase

Frequency Spectrum
Amplitude

SUM

Time

Time

Frequency

All signals can be constructed by summing a series of single frequencies

0 0

+45

Phase

+90

180

Time

Time

Time

Time

The phase of a seismic wave describes its behaviour at zero time

Phase Spectrum
Waves in phase Waves out of phase

SUM

SUM

Time

Time

Time

Time

If the phase of each contributing wave is zero we get a sharp wavelet If the phase varies we get a broad long wavelet

Frequency Spectrum
Typical Wavelet
Amplitude 0 Phase

Frequency Time

Frequency

A typical wavelet is reasonably narrow and has a moderate bandwidth It may not be zero phase (i.e. is not symmetric) The wavelet can be improved in processing and by calibrating to well data