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An experiment on third-order resonant wave interactions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 March 2006

M. S. Longuet-Higgins  and
N. D. Smith
M. S. Longuet-Higgins
Affiliation:
National Institute of Oceanography, Wormley, Surrey
N. D. Smith
Affiliation:
National Institute of Oceanography, Wormley, Surrey
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Abstract

An experiment has been carried out to verify the existence of the resonant interaction between trains of gravity waves, predicted by Phillips (1960). As suggested by Longuet-Higgins (1962), two trains of waves in mutually perpendicular directions were generated in a rectangular wave tank. The ratio σ1/σ2 of the wave frequencies was varied (1·4 < σ1/σ2 < 2·1). When σ1/σ2 [eDot] 1·7357 it was expected that a resonant interaction would take place, generating a wave of frequency (2σ1−σ2). The amplitude of the third wave was expected to increase almost linearly in the direction of wave propagation. The shape of the response curve as a function of σ1/σ2 was also predicted.

In the present experiments rather large wave amplitudes had to be used, and the theoretical shape of the response curve was distorted by non-linear detuning. Nevertheless the peak amplitude of the resonant wave was found to increase with distance in very nearly the manner predicted.

These experiments were carried out in 1961 but publication was deferred pending a similar but more accurate investigation by McGoldrick, Phillips, Huang & Hodgson (1966). Much of the theoretical discussion given in the present paper is relevant to their work.

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 25 , Issue 3 , July 1966 , pp. 417 - 435
Copyright
© 1966 Cambridge University Press

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References

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