Wave grouping is a prominent feature of ocean surface waves. Bichromatic waves, which are produced by mixing two monochromatic waves, is the simplest realization of wave groups in the laboratory. We use bichromatic experiments from Marintek to verify three models for wave evolution in space and time: Linear theory, the cubic nonlinear Schrödinger equation and the modified nonlinear Schrödinger equation. The prospects of forecasting individual freak waves in real time will be discussed. This appears to be a realistic possibility with the most accurate model.
Helge Holden <holden@math.ntnu.no>
2001-01-22 14:43