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Measurement of high frequency capillary waves on steep gravity waves

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2006

John H. Chang ,
Richard N. Wagner  and
Henry C. Yuen
John H. Chang
Affiliation:
Department of Fluid Mechanics, TRW Defense and Space Systems Group, One Space Park, Redondo Beach, California 90278
Richard N. Wagner
Affiliation:
Department of Fluid Mechanics, TRW Defense and Space Systems Group, One Space Park, Redondo Beach, California 90278
Henry C. Yuen
Affiliation:
Department of Fluid Mechanics, TRW Defense and Space Systems Group, One Space Park, Redondo Beach, California 90278
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Abstract

The properties of high frequency capillary waves generated by steep gravity waves on deep water have been measured with a high resolution laser optical slope gauge. The results have been compared with the steady theory of Longuet-Higgins (1963). Good qualitative agreement is obtained. However, the quantitative predictions of the capillary wave slopes cannot be verified by the data because the theory requires knowledge of an idealized quantity - the crest curvature of the gravity wave in the absence of surface tension - which cannot be measured experimentally.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 86 , Issue 3 , 14 June 1978 , pp. 401 - 413
Copyright
© 1978 Cambridge University Press

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