Laboratory measurements of modulation of short-wave slopes by long surface waves

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Abstract
Hydrodynamic modulation of wind waves by long surface waves in a wave tank is investigated, at wind speeds ranging from 1.5 to 10 m s−1. The results are compared with the linear, non-dissipative, theory of Longuet-Higgins & Stewart (1960), which describes the modulation of a group of short gravity waves due to straining of the surface by currents produced by the orbital motions of the long wave, and work done against the radiation stresses of the short waves. In most cases the theory is in good agreement with the experimental results when the short waves are not too steep, and the rate of growth due to the wind is relatively small. At the higher wind speeds, the effects of wind-wave growth, dissipation and wave-wave interactions are dominant.

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