Energy spectra of weak internal wave turbulence
It has long been proposed that small-scale oceanic dynamics result from nonlinear processes involving internal gravity waves. The scales in question are not resolved in oceanic models but are accounted for by ad-hoc parameterizations. Physically modeling their turbulent dynamics would therefore be a major lever for improving parameterizations in climate models. In this context, a promising avenue is the weak wave turbulence theory. Its implementation in the case of internal waves in density-stratified fluids has nevertheless proved complex and remains an open problem. It is the subject of delicate questions concerning the convergence of the so-called “collision integral” which drives the dynamics in wave turbulence problems. In this lecture, I will present two recent works, one theoretical and one experimental, which both aim at identifying solutions to the internal gravity wave turbulence problem.
References :
N. Lanchon, P.-P. Cortet, Physical Review Letters, 131, 264001 (2023)
N. Lanchon, D.O. Mora, E. Monsalve, P.-P. Cortet, Physical Review Fluids, 8, 054802 (2023)
Contact Nicolas Mordant for more information or to schedule a discussion with the seminar speaker.