New wave generation

TL;DR

This paper explores a novel internal wave generator that uses oscillating plates to produce diverse wave fields, demonstrating its efficiency and predictability through combined experimental and numerical studies.

Contribution

It introduces and validates a versatile wave generation method capable of producing various internal wave patterns with high efficiency and controllability.

Findings

Able to generate plane waves, wave beams, and vertical modes

Effective despite discretization and limited forcing components

Wave fields accurately predicted by Fourier analysis

Abstract

We present the results of a combined experimental and numerical study of the generation of internal waves using the novel internal wave generator design of Gostiaux et al. (2007). This mechanism, which involves a tunable source comprised of oscillating plates, has so far been used for a few fundamental studies of internal waves, but its full potential has yet to be realized. Our studies reveal that this approach is capable of producing a wide variety of two-dimensional wave fields, including plane waves, wave beams and discrete vertical modes in finite-depth stratifications. The effects of discretization by a finite number of plates, forcing amplitude and angle of propagation are investigated, and it is found that the method is remarkably efficient at generating a complete wave field despite forcing only one velocity component in a controllable manner. We furthermore find that the nature of the radiated wave field is well predicted using Fourier transforms of the spatial structure of the wave generator.