RAYLEIGHONS

In the present paper, the idea is advanced that super-deep penetration of some microparticles into various metal targets observed by hyperve locity impact represents the self-propagation of a specific internal s olitary wave forming a cavity with the projectile moving inside withou t drag. This solitary wave is named the rayleighon because it propagat es with the Rayleigh speed. The cavity of a rayleighon is shown to be free of tractions. Rayleighon energy is proven to be conserved because there is no absorbtion or emission of energy (as distinct from cracks and dislocations absorbing or emanating energy). A family of rayleigh s that have been computed are provided in this paper.