Spectral solver for Cauchy problems in polar coordinates using discrete Hankel transforms

We introduce a Fourier-Bessel-based spectral solver for Cauchy problems featuring Laplacians in polar coordinates under homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions. We use FFTs in the azimuthal direction to isolate angular modes, then perform discrete Hankel transform (DHT) on each mode along the radial direction to obtain spectral coefficients. The two transforms are connected via numerical and cardinal interpolations. We analyze the boundary-dependent error bound of DHT; the worst case is $\sim N^{-3/2}$, which governs the method, and the best $\sim e^{-N}$, which then the numerical interpolation governs. The complexity is $O[N^3]$. Taking advantage of Bessel functions being the eigenfunctions of the Laplacian operator, we solve linear equations for all times. For non-linear equations, we use a time-splitting method to integrate the solutions. We show examples and validate the method on the two-dimensional wave equation, which is linear, and on two non-linear problems: a time-dependent Poiseuille flow and the flow of a Bose-Einstein condensate on a disk

Internal tide generation from isolated seamounts and continental shelves

We model linear, inviscid non-hydrostatic internal tides generated by the interaction of a barotropic tide with variable topography in two dimensions. We first derive an asymptotic solution for the nonuniform barotropic flow over the topography that serves as forcing for the baroclinic equations. The resulting internal-tide generation problem is reformulated as a Coupled-Mode System (CMS) by means of a series decomposition of the baroclinic stream function in terms of vertical basis functions. We solve this CMS numerically and also provide a method for estimating the sea-surface signature of internal tides. We consider several seamounts and shelf profiles and perform calculations for a wide range of (topographic) heights and slopes. For subcritical topographies, the energy flux as a function of height exhibits local maxima, separated by cases of weakly- or even non-radiating topographies. For supercritical topographies, the energy flux generally increases with height and criticality. Our calculations agree with the Weak Topography Approximation only for very small heights. Perhaps more surprisingly, they agree with the Knife Edge model only for moderately supercritical topographies. We also compare the effect of the adjusted barotropic tide on the energy flux and the local properties of the baroclinic field with other semi-analytical methods based on a uniform barotropic tide. We observe significant differences in the flow field near the topographies only

The Impact of Finite-Amplitude Bottom Topography on Internal Wave Generation in the Southern Ocean

Direct observations in the Southern Ocean report enhanced internal wave activity and turbulence in a kilometer-thick layer above rough bottom topography collocated with the deep-reaching fronts of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. Linear theory, corrected for finite-amplitude topography based on idealized, two-dimensional numerical simulations, has been recently used to estimate the global distribution of internal wave generation by oceanic currents and eddies. The global estimate shows that the topographic wave generation is a significant sink of energy for geostrophic flows and a source of energy for turbulent mixing in the deep ocean. However, comparison with recent observations from the Diapycnal and Isopycnal Mixing Experiment in the Southern Ocean shows that the linear theory predictions and idealized two-dimensional simulations grossly overestimate the observed levels of turbulent energy dissipation. This study presents two- and three-dimensional, realistic topography simulations of internal lee-wave generation from a steady flow interacting with topography with parameters typical of Drake Passage. The results demonstrate that internal wave generation at three-dimensional, finite bottom topography is reduced compared to the two-dimensional case. The reduction is primarily associated with finite-amplitude bottom topography effects that suppress vertical motions and thus reduce the amplitude of the internal waves radiated from topography. The implication of these results for the global lee-wave generation is discussed.National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Award CMG-1024198

Réflexions et réfractions non-linéaires d'ondes de gravité internes

Internal wave studies are crucial to the understanding of deep-ocean mixing. In this thesis, we first describe a 2D direct numerical simulation of a wave attractor and validate it against pre-existing experimental data. We then propose a model for the thickness of the attractor along the direction of propagation of energy. We eventually study nonlinear effects induced by the attractor. In a second part, we describe an experimental study of the reflection of plane waves on a sloping wall. Unexpectedly, resonances between different wave harmonics are not observed. However, a horizontal mean flow is generated and the wave characteristics are curved, due to the Doppler effect. 70 to 80% of the incident energy flux is dissipated and transferred to the mean flow, the latter being seemingly generated by wave dissipation. In a third part, we perform a numerical study of the generation of internal solitary waves by an impinging wave beam. We first present direct numerical simulations of this process and show that different solitary wave modes can be excited. Criteria for the selection of a particular mode are put forward, the first one being in terms of phase speeds and the second one based on geometrical arguments. Results are compared with the configuration of the Bay of Biscay in summer. We show that a beam impinging on a thermocline initially at rest can not generate solitary waves which features agree with oceanic observations. This can be corrected by taking into account the background flow around the thermocline as found in the Bay of Biscay and independent of the internal wave beam.Étudier les ondes internes est crucial pour comprendre le mélange dans l'océan. Dans cette thèse, un attracteur d'ondes 2D est tout d'abord simulé de manière directe, appuyé par une bonne comparaison avec une expérience pré-existante. Nous dérivons un modèle simple de la largeur de l'attracteur et mettons en évidence des effets non-linéaires. Nous réalisons dans une deuxième partie une étude expérimentale de la réflexion d'ondes planes sur une paroi inclinée. Les résonances prédites entre différents harmoniques n'apparaissent pas mais en revanche, un fort écoulement moyen horizontal apparaît, courbant les caractéristiques des ondes par effet Doppler. 70 à 80% du flux d'énergie incident sont dissipés ou convertis en écoulement moyen, ce dernier semblant alimenté par la dissipation des ondes. La génération d'ondes solitaires consécutive à la réflexion d'ondes sur une pycnocline est ensuite étudiée numériquement dans la troisième partie. Dans un premier temps, une étude académique, 2D est réalisée à l'aide de simulations directes. Nous montrons que des ondes solitaires de différents modes et piégées dans la pycnocline peuvent être générées. Deux critères pour comprendre la sélection d'un mode donné, l'un portant sur les différentes vitesses de phase, l'autre sur des arguments géométriques, sont définis. Ces critères sont dans un second temps comparés aux conditions du Golfe de Gascogne en été. Nous montrons qu'un rayon d'ondes internes seul ne peut générer des ondes solitaires correspondant aux observations, ce qui est corrigé en tenant compte de l'écoulement présent dans la pycnocline et indépendant du rayon d'ondes internes

Réflexions et réfractions non-linéaires d'ondes de gravité internes

Internal wave studies are crucial to the understanding of deep-ocean mixing. In this thesis, we first describe a 2D direct numerical simulation of a wave attractor and validate it against pre-existing experimental data. We then propose a model for the thickness of the attractor along the direction of propagation of energy. We eventually study nonlinear effects induced by the attractor. In a second part, we describe an experimental study of the reflection of plane waves on a sloping wall. Unexpectedly, resonances between different wave harmonics are not observed. However, a horizontal mean flow is generated and the wave characteristics are curved, due to the Doppler effect. 70 to 80% of the incident energy flux is dissipated and transferred to the mean flow, the latter being seemingly generated by wave dissipation. In a third part, we perform a numerical study of the generation of internal solitary waves by an impinging wave beam. We first present direct numerical simulations of this process and show that different solitary wave modes can be excited. Criteria for the selection of a particular mode are put forward, the first one being in terms of phase speeds and the second one based on geometrical arguments. Results are compared with the configuration of the Bay of Biscay in summer. We show that a beam impinging on a thermocline initially at rest can not generate solitary waves which features agree with oceanic observations. This can be corrected by taking into account the background flow around the thermocline as found in the Bay of Biscay and independent of the internal wave beam.Étudier les ondes internes est crucial pour comprendre le mélange dans l'océan. Dans cette thèse, un attracteur d'ondes 2D est tout d'abord simulé de manière directe, appuyé par une bonne comparaison avec une expérience pré-existante. Nous dérivons un modèle simple de la largeur de l'attracteur et mettons en évidence des effets non-linéaires. Nous réalisons dans une deuxième partie une étude expérimentale de la réflexion d'ondes planes sur une paroi inclinée. Les résonances prédites entre différents harmoniques n'apparaissent pas mais en revanche, un fort écoulement moyen horizontal apparaît, courbant les caractéristiques des ondes par effet Doppler. 70 à 80% du flux d'énergie incident sont dissipés ou convertis en écoulement moyen, ce dernier semblant alimenté par la dissipation des ondes. La génération d'ondes solitaires consécutive à la réflexion d'ondes sur une pycnocline est ensuite étudiée numériquement dans la troisième partie. Dans un premier temps, une étude académique, 2D est réalisée à l'aide de simulations directes. Nous montrons que des ondes solitaires de différents modes et piégées dans la pycnocline peuvent être générées. Deux critères pour comprendre la sélection d'un mode donné, l'un portant sur les différentes vitesses de phase, l'autre sur des arguments géométriques, sont définis. Ces critères sont dans un second temps comparés aux conditions du Golfe de Gascogne en été. Nous montrons qu'un rayon d'ondes internes seul ne peut générer des ondes solitaires correspondant aux observations, ce qui est corrigé en tenant compte de l'écoulement présent dans la pycnocline et indépendant du rayon d'ondes internes

Numerical simulations of the local generation of internal solitary waves in the Bay of Biscay

International audienceOceanic observations from the Bay of Biscay, Portugal, Mozambique Channel and Mascarene Ridge have provided evidence of the generation of internal solitary waves due to an internal tidal beam impinging on the thermocline from below - a process referred to as "local generation". Here we present two-dimensional numerical simulations with a fully nonlinear nonhydrostatic model of situations that are relevant for the Bay of Biscay in summer. We show that a beam impinging on a thermocline initially at rest can induce a displacement of the isopycnals, large enough for internal solitary waves to be generated. These internal solitary waves however differ from those observed in the Bay of Biscay through their amplitude and distance between wave trains. We then show that the latter feature is recovered when the background flow around the thermocline as found in the Bay of Biscay is included in the forcing, thereby yielding a more accurate view on the local generation mechanism

Numerical simulation of a two-dimensional internal wave attractor

International audienceInternal (gravity) wave attractors may form in closed containers with boundaries non-parallel and non-normal to the gravity vector. Such attractors have been studied from a theoretical point of view, in laboratory experiments and using linear numerical computations. In the present paper two-dimensional numerical simulations of an internal wave attractor are reported, based upon the nonlinear and non-hydrostatic MIT-gcm numerical code. We first reproduce the laboratory experiment of a wave attractor performed by Hazewinkel et al. (J. Fluid Mech. Vol. 598, 2008 p. 373) and obtain very good agreement with the experimental data. We next propose simple ideas to model the thickness of the attractor. The model predicts that the thickness should scale as the 1/3 power of the non-dimensional parameter measuring the ratio of viscous to buoyancy effects. When the attractor is strongly focusing, the thickness should also scale as the 1/3 power of the spatial coordinate along the attractor. Analysis of the numerical data for two different attractors yields values of the exponent close to 1/3, within 30%. Finally, we study nonlinear effects induced by the attractor

Conditions for local generation of solitary waves in a pycnocline: a numerical study

Not Availabl