Inner Core Attenuation From Short‐Period Pkp(Bc) Versus Pkp(Df) Waveforms

Summary Differential waveform analysis provides an excellent tool for studying the attenuation properties of the top of the inner core. We analyse 108 PKP(BC) versus PKP(DF) waveforms from Global Digital Seismograph Network (GDSN) vertical‐component seismograms to constrain the frequency and depth dependency of Q α in this region. We use both frequency‐ and time‐domain techniques. In the time‐domain method, the BC phase is mapped onto the DF phase using an attenuation band operator. the mapping operator is parameterized by the upper and lower cut‐off frequencies of the absorption band, the time shift required to align these two phases, and t *, the integrated effect of Q α −1 in the top of the inner core. In the frequency‐domain analysis, multitaper spectral estimation is used to compute the complex spectrum of the two phases. the shape of the amplitude spectrum of the spectral ratio between these two phases gives an estimate of Q α . Similar results are obtained from frequency‐ and time‐domain analysis but the Q α obtained from frequency‐domain analysis is approximately 20 per cent greater than the value obtained from time‐domain analysis. We prefer the frequency‐domain results since they are not affected by the presence of noise at higher frequencies. Apparent Q α values exhibit considerable scatter with no clear frequency or depth dependence. We find that the average value of Q α in the top of the inner core is about 360 which is consistent with previous body wave studies but differs by a factor of two from values obtained from studies of the decay of free oscillations.