This thesis demonstrates how the parameters of a slightlynon-homogeneous medium can be derived approximately from thereflection coefficient.
Two types of media are investigated. The first is describedby the one-dimensional wave equation, the second by the morecomplex Timoshenko beam equation. In both cases, the media areassumed to be infinite in extent, with the media parametersbecoming homogeneous as the space variable approaches positive ornegative infinity.
Much effort is placed in deriving properties of the reflectioncoefficient for both cases. The wave equation is consideredprimarily to introduce the techniques used to investigate the morecomplex Timoshenko equation. In both cases, an approximation isderived for one of the medium parameters involving the reflectioncoefficient.
