Method for multiple suppression based on phase arrays

An apparatus for suppressing multiples in the collection of seismic data in a body of water with an air-water interface, comprising:

• at least one source positioned in the body of water;
• at least one receiver positioned in the body of water below the air-water interface;
• a bubble diffuser positioned in the body of water so that the bubbles emitted by the bubble diffuser are positioned between the receivers and the air-water interface, said bubble diffuser being configured to create bubble layers that combine high acoustic reflection with depth variation, said depth variation being designed to reflect incident acoustic waves away from the receivers, and said high acoustic reflection meaning that the bubble layer is substantially more reflective than refractive;
• and
• a control for activating the bubble diffuser during the collection of seismic data by the sources and receivers.