A Comparative Study on the Difference between the Multi-dipole Sources and Vector Synthesis Source

CSAMT exploration generally adopts a single dipole as the transmitter. The single dipole source has the apparent disadvantages–there are weak areas for all components, E y and H x are weak in the area where E x and H y are reliable. Moreover, it is hard to deploy the source with a specific direction in a rugged mountainous area. Given the shortcomings of the single dipole source, multi-dipole sources are introduced into CSAMT exploration. Although the dipole sources follow the principle of vector synthesis, the length of the source in actual exploration can last for several kilometers and the offset is generally a few kilometers. In this case, the source can no longer be regarded as a single dipole in the near-field zone. The electromagnetic field in this region becomes relatively complicated. We first compare the similarities and differences of electromagnetic field generated by vector synthesis source and multi-dipole source through the E x radiation patterns. Then, we study the factors that affect electromagnetic response due to the substitution of the double-dipole source with the vector synthesis source. The measured EM fields is affected by the source length, frequency, the source angle, the offset, and the resistivity.Finally, we apply the double-dipole source to the 1D and 3D geological model and compare the difference between the electromagnetic field generated by the double-dipole source and that generated by the vector synthesis source. Usually, the difference is very obvious in the near-field zone, and is almost negligible in the far-field zone.