Multi-parameter nonlinear inversion with exact reflection coefficient equation

•Derive the explicit exact P-wave reflectivity equation•A novel nonlinear inversion is introduced.•Implement multiple layer parameter estimation

Amplitude variation with amplitude or angle (AVO/AVA) inversion has been widely utilized in exploration geophysics to estimate the formation of elastic parameters underground. However, conventional AVO/AVA inversion approaches are based on different approximate equations of Zoeppritz equations under various hypotheses, such as limited incident angles or weak property contrast, which reduces their prediction precision theoretically. This study combines the exact P-wave Zoeppritz equation with a nonlinear direct inversion algorithm to estimate the six parameters imbedded in the exact equation simultaneously. A more direct and explicit expression of the Zoeppritz equation is discussed in the case of P-wave exploration, under which condition the incident longitudinal wave produces the reflected longitudinal (P–P) wave and upgoing converted shear (P–SV) wave. Utilizing this equation as the forward solver, a nonlinear direct inversion method is introduced to implement the direct inversion of the six parameters including P-wave velocities, S-wave velocities, and densities in the upper and lower media around an interface, respectively. This nonlinear algorithm is able to estimate the inverse of the nonlinear function in terms of model parameters directly rather than in a conventional optimization way. Model tests illustrate that the nonlinear direct inversion method shows great potential to estimate multiple parameters with the exact Zoeppritz equation.