2026/08/04 by Nikhil Yewale, Anil Kumar, Vinod Kadari +1
Physics and Astronomy · #physics.flu-dyn #physics.ao-ph
arxiv created 2026/08/04 · arxiv updated 2026/08/05
Predicting the transition of wind-forced, gravito-capillary surface waves from smooth to corrugated states remains a longstanding problem in nonlinear wave mechanics. Solving driven-dissipative, nonlinear potential flow equations we map these waves (4-13 cm) onto a Reynolds number -- wave energy phase-space. We identify a transition band separating smooth from corrugated wave states - the wave steepness exhibits a non-monotonic dependence on Reynolds number within this. Subharmonic (in)stability analysis reveals that the fastest-growing mode intensifies corrugations on alternate faces of the carrier wave, offering insights with broad implications for interfacial pattern-formation and oceanic remote-sensing.