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Decay of capillary wave turbulence
Luc Deike1, Michael Berhanu, Eric Falcon
1Univ Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, MSC, UMR 7057 CNRS, F-75 013 Paris, France.
Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
|September 26, 2012
Summary
Freely decaying capillary wave turbulence exhibits self-similar spectral decay, matching weak turbulence predictions. Long wavelengths, damped by a viscous layer, sustain nonlinear interactions, keeping the system in a wave turbulent state.
Area of Science:
- Fluid dynamics
- Wave turbulence
Background:
- Capillary wave turbulence is a complex phenomenon observed on fluid surfaces.
- Understanding its decay dynamics is crucial for fluid mechanics research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To observe and analyze the decay of freely decaying capillary wave turbulence.
- To compare the decay characteristics with existing weak turbulence theories.
Main Methods:
- Observation of freely decaying capillary wave turbulence.
- Analysis of the temporal evolution of the wave turbulence spectrum.
- Investigation of Fourier mode amplitudes and wavelength damping.
Main Results:
- The capillary wave turbulence spectrum decay is self-similar in time.
- The decay follows the same power law exponent as the stationary regime.
- All Fourier modes decay exponentially at the same rate.
- Longest wavelengths are damped by a viscous surface boundary layer.
Conclusions:
- The observed decay is consistent with weak turbulence predictions.
- Long waves act as an energy source, sustaining nonlinear interactions.
- The system maintains a wave turbulent state throughout the decay process.
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