Internal solitons in laboratory experiments: comparison with theoretical models

Area of Science:

• Fluid dynamics
• Nonlinear physics
• Soliton theory

Background:

• Nonlinear internal solitary waves are crucial phenomena in fluid dynamics.
• Understanding their behavior requires advanced theoretical frameworks.
• Laboratory experiments provide valuable data for validating these theories.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and compare various soliton theories relevant to laboratory observations of nonlinear internal solitary waves.
• To assess the applicability of classical and non-classical soliton models to experimental data.
• To bridge the gap between theoretical predictions and empirical evidence in nonlinear wave research.

Main Methods:

• Description of classical integrable soliton models (Korteweg-de Vries, Gardner, Benjamin-Ono, Joseph-Kubota-Ko-Dobbs).
• Discussion of non-integrable models incorporating higher-order nonlinear effects, viscosity, rotation, and cylindrical spreading.
• Presentation and comparison of laboratory experimental data with theoretical predictions from these models.

Main Results:

• Demonstration of how different soliton theories relate to observed nonlinear internal solitary waves.
• Evaluation of the strengths and limitations of various models in explaining experimental results.
• Identification of suitable theoretical frameworks for specific experimental conditions.

Conclusions:

• Laboratory observations of nonlinear internal solitary waves can be effectively explained by a range of soliton theories.
• The choice of theoretical model depends on the complexity of nonlinear effects and experimental parameters.
• This work provides a framework for selecting appropriate soliton models for analyzing internal wave phenomena.