  We analyze the linear, 3D response to tidal forcing of a disk that is thin
and thermally stratified in the direction normal to the disk plane. We model
the vertical disk structure locally as a polytrope which represents a disk of
high optical depth. We solve the 3D gas-dynamic equations semi-analytically in
the neighborhood of a Lindblad resonance. These solutions match asymptotically
on to those valid away from resonances and provide solutions valid at all
radii. We obtain the following results. 1) A variety of waves are launched at
resonance. However, the f mode carries more than 95% of the torque exerted at
the resonance. 2) These 3D waves collectively transport exactly the amount of
angular momentum predicted by the 2D torque formula. 3) Near resonance, the f
mode occupies the full vertical extent of the disk. Away from resonance, the f
mode becomes confined near the surface of the disk, and, in the absence of
other dissipation mechanisms, damps via shocks. The radial length scale for
this process is roughly r_L/m (for resonant radius r_L and azimuthal wavenumber
m), independent of the disk thickness H. This wave channeling process is due to
the variations of physical quantities in r and is not due to wave refraction.
4) However, the inwardly propagating f mode launched from an m=2 inner Lindblad
resonance experiences relatively minor channeling.
  We conclude that for binary stars, tidally generated waves in highly
optically thick circumbinary disks are subject to strong nonlinear damping by
the channeling mechanism, while those in circumstellar accretion disks are
subject to weaker nonlinear effects. We also apply our results to waves excited
by young planets for which m is approximately r/H and conclude that the waves
are damped on the scale of a few H.
