aniseforward

Aniseforward is a neologism used in some technical circles to denote forward models that explicitly incorporate directional dependence of material or medium properties. The term is not widely standardized and does not refer to a single, universally accepted mathematical formulation.

In general, aniseforward describes forward problems in which a quantity—such as acoustic pressure, electromagnetic field, or stress—propagates through a medium whose response varies with direction. This directional dependence is commonly represented by tensors or anisotropic functions that encode how wave speed, attenuation, or impedance change with orientation relative to a material's internal structure.

In practice, aniseforward appears in fields ranging from geophysics and nondestructive testing to computer graphics and optical tomography. In seismology and ultrasound, forward models include anisotropy to improve the accuracy of predicted measurements and to enable better estimation of subsurface properties. In imaging, anisotropic forward models can improve reconstruction quality when the medium exhibits directional scattering or speed variation.

Relating terms include forward problem in physics and engineering, forward modeling with anisotropy, and anisotropic media. Aniseforward often overlaps with these concepts and may be used interchangeably with phrasing like "anisotropic forward model" or "forward problem in anisotropic media." See also: anisotropic media, forward problem, tensor, radiative transfer in anisotropic media.