Focusing of nonlinear wave groups in deep water

Abstract
The freak wave phenomenon in the ocean is explained by the nonlinear dynamics of phase-modulated wave trains. It is shown that the preliminary quadratic phase modulation of wave packets leads to a significant amplification of the usual modulation (Benjamin-Feir) instability. Physically, the phase modulation of water waves may be due to a variable wind in storm areas. The well-known breather solutions of the cubic Schrödinger equation appear on the final stage of the nonlinear dynamics of wave packets when the phase modulation becomes more uniform.

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