Abstract

Wave tank measurements on wind driven capillary waves were performed. The height, slope, and frequency content of the capillary waves were measured. The wave heights (trough to crest) were found to be in the 0.06–8.8-mm range for wind speeds in the 2.2–7.6-m/sec range. The distribution of frequencies (wavelengths) depends on wind speed, with more higher frequency waves occurring at higher wind speeds. The rms value of the wave slope plotted against the wind speed is an S-shaped curve with the steeply rising portion starting at ~3 m/sec. The maximum value of the rms wave slope measured in these experiments was 17.5° and occurred at 7.6 m/sec.

© 1979 Optical Society of America

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