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08:54
Measurements of Waves in a Wind-wave Tank Under Steady and Time-varying Wind Forcing
Published on: February 13, 2018
Observation of intermittency in wave turbulence
1Laboratoire de Physique Statistique, Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, Paris, France. eric.falcon@univ-paris-diderot.fr
Physical Review Letters
|May 16, 2007
Summary
We observed intermittency in gravity-capillary wave turbulence on mercury. Surface wave data reveals changes in probability density functions, indicating intermittent wave turbulence.
Area of Science:
- Fluid dynamics
- Plasma physics
- Astrophysics
Background:
- Wave turbulence is a complex phenomenon observed in various natural systems.
- Understanding intermittency is crucial for accurate modeling of wave turbulence.
- Mercury's unique environment offers a novel setting to study these phenomena.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of intermittency in gravity-capillary wave turbulence on mercury.
- To analyze the statistical properties of surface wave fluctuations.
- To explore the underlying mechanisms driving observed behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Measurements of temporal fluctuations in surface wave amplitude at a fixed location.
- Analysis of probability density functions of local slope increments.
- Calculation of structure functions and flatness across different time scales.
Main Results:
- Observed significant changes in the probability density function shape with time scale.
- Identified power-law relationships for structure functions and flatness over more than a decade.
- Demonstrated a nonlinear increase in power-law exponents with structure function order, confirming intermittency.
Conclusions:
- The study provides clear evidence of intermittency in gravity-capillary wave turbulence on mercury.
- The findings suggest non-uniform energy dissipation and coherent structures within the wave field.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the origins and implications of this intermittency.
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