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Observation of accelerating solitary wavepackets.

Georgi Gary Rozenman1,2, Lev Shemer3, Ady Arie2

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Solitary surface gravity water wavepackets were studied in a controlled flow. Their envelopes accelerated and changed shape with increased steepness, unlike free solitons.

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Area of Science:

  • Fluid dynamics
  • Nonlinear wave propagation
  • Surface gravity waves

Background:

  • Solitary waves, or solitons, are self-reinforcing wave solutions.
  • Understanding wavepacket dynamics is crucial in various fluid mechanics applications.
  • Previous studies often focused on solitons in free-space or uniform flows.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the behavior of solitary surface gravity wavepackets in a time-dependent flow.
  • To analyze the effects of initial momentum on wavepacket propagation.
  • To compare experimental observations with theoretical predictions.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical modeling of wavepacket evolution in a linear potential.
  • Experimental setup using a computer-controlled water pump for controlled flow.
  • Observation of wavepacket envelope acceleration and phase changes.
  • Analysis of wave steepness and initial momentum effects.

Main Results:

  • Wavepacket envelopes exhibited acceleration and cubic phase dependence in a time-dependent flow.
  • Increased wave steepness led to envelope asymmetry, deviating from soliton shape.
  • Wavepackets with initial momentum showed ballistic trajectories, similar to projectiles.
  • Envelope shape was preserved for ballistic wavepackets, with unchanged phase.

Conclusions:

  • Time-dependent flows significantly alter solitary wavepacket dynamics compared to free-space solitons.
  • Wave steepness is a critical factor influencing envelope stability and shape.
  • Initial momentum dictates trajectory but not necessarily envelope shape preservation or phase characteristics.