The spectrum of free vibrations of a thin elastic spherical shell

Abstract This paper considers the spectrum of an open, thin, elastic, spherical shell, i.e. the set of natural frequencies and their distribution. The results are obtained by extending the analysis given by the author in an earlier paper to the high frequency range and provide a background for testing the applicability of approximate methods suggested by earlier investigators. It was discovered, that the spectrum in some cases displayed a band structure. An explanation of this behaviour is given.